Novel Acanthamoeba 18S rRNA gene sequence type from an environmental isolate

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Parasitology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Free-living amoebae, Acanthamoeba, are opportunistic parasites with resistant cysts, posing increasing health threats.
• Current Acanthamoeba classification relies on 18S rRNA gene sequencing, identifying 18 genotypes (T1-T18).

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel environmental strain of Acanthamoeba.
• To propose this strain as a candidate for the new genotype T19.

Main Methods:

• Isolation of Acanthamoeba from a wastewater treatment plant.
• Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA gene sequencing.

Main Results:

• Identification of a new Acanthamoeba environmental strain.
• Phylogenetic analysis supports the classification of this strain as a novel genotype, T19.

Conclusions:

• The identified Acanthamoeba strain represents a new genotype, T19.
• This discovery contributes to the evolving classification of Acanthamoeba based on molecular data.