Detection of Acanthamoeba from fresh water using polymerase chain reaction

Acanthamoeba is a genus of amoeba, one of the most common protozoa found worldwide in soil, and also frequently found in fresh water. In healthy individuals, Acanthamoeba spp. can cause ulcerating keratitis which is often associated with the use of improperly sterilized contact lenses. The aim of this study was to detect Acanthamoeba from fresh water collected from some town squares of Tehran by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In this study, 22 samples were collected from fresh water. They were cultured on NNA medium after filtration. Culture samples positive for Acanthamoeba were assessed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thirteen samples (59%) were recognized as Acanthamoeba on culture. Using species-specific primers which amplified a 903 bp fragment of 18S rRNA, 6 (27%) samples from 13 samples which were positive on culture were identified as Acanthamoeba. Acanthamoeba has been recognized as an etiologic agent of Keratitis in people who use contact lenses and also in immunocompromised individuals. So, detection of this organism in water resources and exact assessment of this parasite could have a significant role in prevention of disease.