Occurrence of Vermamoeba vermiformis in Environment and Keratitis Samples in Iran as a Public Health Concern: A Systematic Review

Authors

  • Zahra Mirabedini Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Niloofar Mansoori Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Karaj University of Medical Sciences, Alborz, Iran
  • Maryam Niyyati Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Naveed Ahmed Khan School of Science, College of Science and Engineering, University of Derby, Derby, DE22 1GB, UK
  • Mohammad Hamedanipour Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
  • Bahare Mirzaalizadeh Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22074

Keywords:

Free-living amoebae; Vermamoeba vermiformis; Keratitis; Environment; Iran

Abstract

Background: Vermamoeba vermiformis is one of the prevalent Free-living amoebae (FLA) in the environment. In recent years, studies regarding the distribution of V. vermiformis have increased, focusing on the importance of this FLA as a human pathogen but its pathogenic potential is still unclear. Moreover, the endosymbiosis relationship between V. vermiformis and microorganisms may lead to the development of multi-antibiotic drug resistance pathogens and may increase FLA virulence.

Methods: We aimed to perform a systematic review of the data on the occurrence of V. vermiformis in the environment and keratitis samples in Iran. Articles on the occurrence of V. vermiformis in environment and keratitis samples in Iran were systematically searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar between January 2000 and July 2023. The keywords were carefully selected and accurately used to search for all relevant research articles to the title of the article.

Results: Fourteen studies (n = 14) with a combined total of 436 environmental and clinical samples were included. The overall prevalence of V. vermiformis across all studies ranged from 2% to 50%, with the highest detection rates observed in drinking and surface waters.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest a wide distribution of V. vermiformis in water and different environmental sources in Iran. More comprehensive studies on the pathogenesis of this genus and the relationship between V. vermiformis and its endosymbiosis are research priorities.

Published

2026-07-20

Issue

Volume (21) issue (2)

Section

Articles