Isolation and molecular characterization of Acanthamoeba and Balamuthia mandrillaris from combination shower units in Costa Rica

Retana Moreira, Lissette; Abrahams Sandí, Elizabeth; Cabello Vílchez, Alfonso Martín; Reyes Batlle, María; Valladares Hernández, Basilio; Martínez Carretero, Enrique; Piñero Barroso, José Enrique; Lorenzo Morales, Jacob

doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-014-4083-6

Isolation and molecular characterization of Acanthamoeba and Balamuthia mandrillaris from combination shower units in Costa Rica

Archivos

Aislamiento Acanthamoeba y B. mandrillaris CR, 2014.pdf (540,27 KB)

Fecha

2014-08-19

Authors

Retana Moreira, Lissette

Abrahams Sandí, Elizabeth

Cabello Vílchez, Alfonso Martín

Reyes Batlle, María

Valladares Hernández, Basilio

Martínez Carretero, Enrique

Piñero Barroso, José Enrique

Lorenzo Morales, Jacob

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-014-4083-6

Resumen

Free living amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous protozoa, which may behave as parasites under certain conditions. Four genera are recognized as causal agents of infections in humans and animals: Naegleria, Sappinia, Acanthamoeba and Balamuthia. This work determines the presence of FLA in combination shower units and employs molecular biology for the characterization of isolates. The morphological analy sis and partial sequencing of the 18S rDNA gene revealed the presence of Acanthamoeba genotype T4 in 30 % of the units sampled. In addition to Acanthamoeba cysts, trophozoites with morphological characteristics similar to Balamuthia were identified. PCR assay using the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene as a target confirmed the identification of the amoeba as Balamuthia mandrillaris. Up to date, this is the first report of the isolation of B. mandrillaris in Central America and the fifth report worldwide.