[Free-living amoebae: analytical methods for water and biofilm quality control]

Free-living amoebae are ubiquitous. Some species can cause infections in humans and it is known that they can ingest and protect many microrganisms, such as species belonging to Legionella genus. Till now in Italy the environmental surveillance is still scarce because of both the lack of appropriate and promptly practical methods and drawbacks due to matrices characteristics. In the present study simple techniques were investigated and evaluated to detect and observe free-living amoebae in good water quality and biofilm samples. The membrane filtration technique for water analysis and the direct presence/absence technique for biofilm were recognized as workable methods, easily to be used also by laboratories with little skills and equipments.