Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Free-Living Amoebae from Different Water Sources in Italy

• Main Authors: Margherita Montalbano Di Filippo, Maristella Santoro, Piero Lovreglio, Rosa Monno, Carmen Capolongo, Carla Calia, Luciana Fumarola, Rossella D'Alfonso, Federica Berrilli, David Di Cave
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2015-03-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: free-living amoebae; molecular characterization; water sources; Italy
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/4/3417

Free-living amoebae (FLA) are protozoa ubiquitous in Nature, isolated from a variety of environments worldwide. In addition to their natural distribution, some species have been found to be pathogenic to humans. In the present study a survey was conducted in order to evaluate the presence and to characterize at molecular level the isolates of amoebic organisms collected from different water sources in Italy. A total of 160 water samples were analyzed by culture and microscopic examination. FLA were found in 46 (28.7%) of the investigated water samples. Groundwater, well waters, and ornamental fountain waters were the sources with higher prevalence rates (85.7%, 50.0%, and 45.9%, respectively). Identification of FLA species/genotypes, based on the 18S rDNA regions, allowed to identify 18 (39.1%) Acanthamoeba isolates (genotypes T4 and T15) and 21 (45.6%) Vermamoeba vermiformis isolates. Other FLA species, including Vahlkampfia sp. and Naegleria spp., previously reported in Italy, were not recovered. The occurrence of potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae in habitats related to human population, as reported in the present study, supports the relevance of FLA as a potential health threat to humans.