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Acanthamoeba containing endosymbiotic chlamydia isolated from hospital environments and its potential role in

Tatsuya Fukumoto1, Junji Matsuo2, Torahiko Okubo2

  • 1Hokkaido University Hospital, Nishi-5 Kita-14 Jo, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8648, Japan.

BMC Microbiology
|December 17, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Environmental chlamydiae, bacteria that infect Acanthamoeba, were found living in a hospital environment. This study demonstrates the presence of these potentially pathogenic amoebae in hospitals, posing a risk for hospital-acquired pneumonia.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Science
  • Hospital Epidemiology

Background:

  • Environmental chlamydiae (Parachlamydiaceae) are obligate intracellular bacteria infecting Acanthamoeba.
  • These bacteria are a potential risk factor for hospital-acquired pneumonia.
  • The survival of chlamydiae-harboring amoebae in hospital environments remains largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and characteristics of living amoebae harboring environmental chlamydiae within a hospital setting.
  • To assess the infectious potential and genomic features of isolated chlamydiae.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of smear samples from Hokkaido University Hospital during winter and summer.
  • Isolation and enrichment of Acanthamoeba from samples.
  • Assessment of endosymbiotic chlamydial traits via infectivity assays, cytokine induction, and draft genomic analysis.
  • Comparative genome analysis of isolated chlamydiae.

Main Results:

  • Acanthamoeba prevalence was higher in summer samples (50%) than winter samples (26.7%).
  • One Acanthamoeba isolate (T4) harbored Protochlamydia W-9, which demonstrated infectivity towards reference Acanthamoeba (C3) but not human epithelial cells.
  • Protochlamydia W-9 induced IL-8 in human epithelial cells and possessed antibiotic resistance genes, lacking a type IV secretion system.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence of living Acanthamoeba carrying an endosymbiotic chlamydial pathogen within a hospital environment.
  • The findings highlight the potential for transmission and infection within healthcare settings.
  • Further research is needed to understand the full clinical implications of these environmental pathogens.
Keywords:
AcanthamoebaEnvironmental chlamydiaeGenome sequenceHospitalIL-8

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