Occurrence and molecular characterisation of Acanthamoeba isolated from recreational hot springs in Malaysia: Evidence of pathogenic potential

• Main Authors: Anuar, T.S (Author), Ghani, M.K.A (Author), Hussain, R.H.M (Author), Ishak, A.R (Author), Khan, N.A (Author), Siddiqui, R. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: IWA Publishing 2019
• Subjects: Acanthamoeba; Acanthamoeba castellanii; Article; chemical analysis; chemical oxygen demand; controlled study; Culture; DNA extraction; DNA sequence; Escherichia coli; gene targeting; genotype; Genotype; growth, development and aging; health risk; heat tolerance; high risk patient; Hot spring; Hot Springs; isolation and purification; Malaysia; microbiological examination; molecular analysis; nonhuman; parasitology; pathogen; PCR; phylogeny; Phylogeny; physical parameters; polymerase chain reaction; protist; protozoal RNA; public health; pyroxylin; recreation; RNA 18S; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; species cultivation; sulfate; surface water; thermal spring; water quality; water sampling; water temperature; West Malaysia
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher; View in Scopus

 This study aimed to identify the Acanthamoeba genotypes and their pathogenic potential in five recreational hot springs in Peninsular Malaysia. Fifty water samples were collected between April and September 2018. Physical parameters of water quality were measured in situ while chemical and microbiological analyses were performed in the laboratory. All samples were filtered through the nitrocellulose membrane and tested for Acanthamoeba using both cultivation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. The pathogenic potential of all positive isolates was identified using thermo- and osmotolerance tests. Thirty-eight (76.0%) samples were positive for Acanthamoeba. Water temperature (P= 0.035), chemical oxygen demand (P = 0.026), sulphate (P = 0.002) and Escherichia coli (P< 0.001) were found to be significantly correlated with the presence of Acanthamoeba. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 24 samples belonged to genotype T4, nine (T15), two (T3) and one from each genotype T5, T11 and T17. Thermo- and osmotolerance tests showed that 6 (15.79%) of the Acanthamoeba strains were highly pathogenic. The existence of Acanthamoeba in recreational hot springs should be considered as a health threat among the public especially for high-risk people. Periodic surveillance of hot spring waters and posting warning signs by health authorities is recommended to prevent disease related to pathogenic Acanthamoeba. © 2019 IWA Publishing. All rights reserved.