Quick survey for detection, identification and characterization of Acanthamoeba genotypes from some selected soil and water samples in Pakistan

Abstract

Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic protozoan pathogen which is widely distributed in nature and plays a pivotal role in the ecosystem. Acanthamoeba species may cause blinding keratitis and fatal granulomatous encephalitis involving the central nervous system. This study investigates the presence of Acanthamoeba in soil and water resources in Pakistan. Acanthamoeba were recovered on non-nutrient agar plate lawn with E. coli and identified by morphological characteristics of the cyst. PCR was performed with genus-specific primers, followed by direct sequencing of the PCR product for molecular identification. Overall, the PCR and sequencing results confirmed pathogenic genotypes, including T4 and T15, from both soil and water samples. This is the first report of Acanthamoeba isolation from both soil and water resources in Pakistan which may serve as a potential threat to human health across the country.