Isolation and Identification of Free Living Amoeba from Patients and Contact Lens Users in Iran

Masoomeh  Jalilehvand; Elham  Hajialilo; Yasaman  Ghiasi; Saba  Rostamian; Fatemeh  Taherkhani; Fatemeh  Kazemi; Sima  Hashemipour; Milad  Badri; Behzad  Bijani; Amir  Javadi; Mehrzad  Saraei; Sepideh  Hajian; Peyman  Heydarian; Ali Sarbazi  Golezari

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v17i2.9532

Masoomeh Jalilehvand Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Elham Hajialilo Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Yasaman Ghiasi Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Saba Rostamian Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Fatemeh Taherkhani Department of Biotechnology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Fatemeh Kazemi Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Sima Hashemipour Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Milad Badri Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Behzad Bijani Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Amir Javadi Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Mehrzad Saraei Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Sepideh Hajian Department of Nephrology, Velayat Hospital, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Peyman Heydarian Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Ali Sarbazi Golezari Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v17i2.9532

Keywords: Acanthamoeba; Patients; Genotypes; Contact lens; Iran

Abstract

Background: Free-living amoebae (FLA) such as Acanthamoeba spp., are considered as opportunistic and pathogenic protozoans. Acanthamoeba granulomatous encephalitis (AGE) is a serious threat for immunodeficient patients and Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) for contact lens users. We aimed to identify the presence of free living amoebae in nasal swabs of patients and contact lens users in Qazvin, Iran.

Methods: During 2019, 251 nasal and oral swabs (including the pharynx and mouth) were collected from patients with diabetes, AIDS and those under periodic dialysis in Qazvin, Iran. In addition, 27 soft contact lenses were collected from the participants. Following DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing were conducted to identify the genotypes of the amoeba. Phylogenetic analysis of the identified sequences was performed using MEGA 7 software.

Results: A strain of Acanthamoeba belonging to the T3 genotype was isolated from hemodialysis patients. Two specimens of Acanthamoeba with T3 genotype were isolated from keratitis patients.

Conclusion: The clinicians should pay attention to the possible complication of this organism because this amoeba is potentially pathogenic for immunocompromised patients. Since the amoeba is present in environmental resources, the use of contact lenses should be accompanied by considering proper hygiene.