Molecular and Morphometric Characterization of Acanthamoeba spp. from Different Water Sources of Northwest Iran as a Neglected Focus, Co-Bordered With the Country of Iraq
| Author | Aram Khezri | en |
| Author | Esmaeel Fallah | en |
| Author | Mostafa Mostafazadeh | en |
| Author | Adel Spotin | en |
| Author | Abbas Shahbazi | en |
| Author | Mahmoud Mahami-Oskouei | en |
| Author | Taimuor Hazratian | en |
| Orcid | Aram Khezri [0000-0003-0473-7184] | en |
| Issued Date | 2016-11-01 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Acanthamoeba spp. is a free-living opportunistic protozoan parasites, which can be found in tap, fresh and bottled mineral waters, contact lens solutions, soil etc. Objectives: The present study is aimed to determine the Acanthamoeba spp. on the basis of their morpho-molecular aspects in different water sources of the West Azerbaijan province, Northwest of Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 water samples were collected from rivers and tap waters during June to September 2015. The water samples were filtered through a cellulose nitrate filter and cultured on non-nutrient agar medium. The extracted DNAs were amplified and some ampliqons were sequenced using partial 18S rRNA for genotyping and phylogenetic analyses. Results: Twenty-seven (45%) out of 60 water samples were positive to Acanthamoeba spp. using both culture and morphological examinations. In addition, 24 (40%) out of 27 positive samples in culture method were confirmed by PCR to be Acanthamoeba spp. Conclusions: A relatively high prevalence of Acanthamoeba spp. in rivers reflects a risk alert for threatening human health in the region. However, well hygienic status of the tap waters considering Acanthamoeba spp. cannot be ignored in western co-border regions of Iran-Iraq. This study can also serve as a platform for further explorations of water sources in Iran and neighboring countries. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm.38481 | en |
| Keyword | West Azerbaijan | en |
| Keyword | Water resources | en |
| Keyword | PCR | en |
| Keyword | Iran | en |
| Keyword | <i>Acanthamoeba</i> | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Molecular and Morphometric Characterization of Acanthamoeba spp. from Different Water Sources of Northwest Iran as a Neglected Focus, Co-Bordered With the Country of Iraq | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |