Isolation and identification of Acanthamoeba from pools water and ponds in Sistan area, Sistan Baluchestan province

Acanthamoeba is one of the most common amoeba protozoa in environment that causes human chronic diseases including amoebic keratitis and rare، deadly disease granulomatus amoebic encephalitis (GAE). The aim of this study is identification of acanthamoeba in pools water and ponds of squares in Sistan by PCR In this descriptive study 93 samples of pools water and ponds of squares in Sistan area (Zabul، Zahak، Hirmand، Hamoon and Nimrouz) were collected in the first half of 2014. Samples were filtered through 0. 45μ paper filters of nitrocellulose and they were cultured in non-nutrient agar medium%1. 5 enriched with heat killed cultured bacteria Escherichia coli. Positive cultures of free living amoebas were evaluated by PCR method. Out of 93% of collected water in Sistan cities، 82 samples (88. 17%) in medium were affected by free living amoebas that 39 samples of acanthamoeba genotype identified by using specialized primers. Also frequency of acanthamoeba in all of samples determined about 47. 56%. The results showed that high acanthamoeba epidemic in pools water and ponds of squares is Sistan area can be risk factor for people، particularly children with inefficient immune system. Therefore، more attention of doctors to determine infection types and public authorities to train and prevent infection of water resources is recommended.