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Author Spotlight: Studying Behavior of Acanthamoeba to Develop Targeted Strategies for Preventing Acanthamoeba Keratitis
Published on: September 20, 2024
Detection and molecular characterization of Acanthamoeba spp. in stray cats from Madrid, Spain
Ana Montoya1, Guadalupe Miró2, José María Saugar3
1Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, ISCIII, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Dpto de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, UCM, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Acanthamoeba spp. is a widespread protozoan that has been isolated from air, dust, soil, water and biological samples. An opportunistic pathogen of humans and animals, it may cause ocular keratitis, encephalitis, and even multisystem disease. The frequency of Acanthamoeba in animals is unknown. The aim of present study was determine the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in immunocompromised stray cats - animals possibly more likely to harbour the infection given their immunocompromised status and frequenting of contaminated environments. Of 307 cats examined, 55 were positive for feline immunodeficiency virus and/or feline leukaemia virus and therefore included in the study. Corneal scrapings were obtained to isolate Acanthamoeba spp. by culture and molecular detection by conventional and real time PCR. None of the samples examined directly by molecular methods were positive for Acanthamoeba spp. However, two (3.6%) cases of the cultured samples provided positive results, which were confirmed by subsequent molecular analysis. Sequencing assigned one isolate to genotype T4 and the other to T2. Since Acanthamoeba spp. may also infect animals and humans, the present findings may raise some public health and veterinary concerns.
Insights
Acanthamoeba spp. was detected in 3.6% of immunocompromised stray cats using culture methods. This opportunistic protozoan can infect both animals and humans, raising public health concerns.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Acanthamoeba spp. are ubiquitous protozoa
- They are opportunistic pathogens causing diseases in humans and animals
- The prevalence of Acanthamoeba in animal populations is largely unknown
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in immunocompromised stray cats
- To investigate potential risk factors associated with infection in this population
Main Methods:
- Corneal scrapings were collected from 55 immunocompromised stray cats (positive for FIV and/or FeLV)
- Acanthamoeba isolation was attempted using culture techniques
- Molecular detection involved conventional and real-time PCR
- Isolates were identified to genotype level using sequencing
Main Results:
- Direct molecular examination of samples yielded no positive results
- Culture methods identified Acanthamoeba spp. in two samples (3.6%)
- Sequencing identified the isolates as genotype T4 and T2
Conclusions:
- Acanthamoeba spp. can be present in immunocompromised stray cats
- Culture-based methods are effective for detecting Acanthamoeba in feline samples
- The findings highlight potential public health and veterinary concerns regarding zoonotic transmission
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