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First Evidence for Colonizing of Acanthamoeba T4 Genotype in Urinary Tracts of Patients with Recurrent Urinary Tract
Reza Saberi1,2, Mahdi Fakhar3,4, Atieh Makhlough5,6
1Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, 48471-91971, Sari, Iran.
Background:
Limited evidence about the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in urine specimens collected from urinary catheters of the patients in the intensive care units persuaded our study. No evidence has been found about colonizing of Acanthamoeba spp., in urinary tracts of patients with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) yet.
Methods:
In this study, 50 urine samples were collected from patients presenting with recurrent UTI. The type of bacteria causing UTI was determined by using bacteriological tests. To cultivate Acanthamoeba spp., in a sterile condition, 10 mL of urine was centrifuged and the sediment was cultivated on non-nutrient agar. Genotypes were determined by sequencing the DF3 region of the 18S rRNA gene.
Results:
The bacteriological test findings on the urine samples of the UTI patients (n = 30) demonstrated that those were found to be positive for Escherichia coli (n = 17), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 6), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 4) and Klebsiella spp. (n = 3) respectively. Moreover, a total of 50 urine samples was examined; 6 (6/50; 12%) and 11 (11/50; 22%) were positive by using culture and the PCR test for Acanthamoeba spp., respectively. Sequencing analysis showed all isolates were T4 genotype.
Conclusions:
Our data showed that the high relative prevalence of Acanthamoeba T4 genotype spp., in the urine of recurrent UTI patients. As well as, providing the first evidence for colonizing of the Acanthamoeba in the urinary tracts of patients with recurrent UTIs. These findings, warrant further investigation among those patients to fully appraise the role of Acanthamoeba spp., as possible latent carriers for resistant bacteria and biofilm formation in the future.
Insights
Acanthamoeba spp. were found in the urine of patients with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study provides the first evidence of Acanthamoeba colonization in the urinary tract, highlighting its potential role in UTIs.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Urology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Limited evidence exists on Acanthamoeba spp. in urine from intensive care unit patients.
- No prior studies investigated Acanthamoeba colonization in the urinary tracts of patients with recurrent UTIs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and genotypes of Acanthamoeba spp. in urine samples from patients with recurrent UTIs.
- To establish the potential role of Acanthamoeba in recurrent urinary tract infections.
Main Methods:
- Collected 50 urine samples from patients with recurrent UTIs.
- Identified common UTI-causing bacteria using bacteriological tests.
- Cultured Acanthamoeba spp. from urine sediment on non-nutrient agar and determined genotypes via 18S rRNA gene sequencing.
Main Results:
- Common UTI bacteria identified: Escherichia coli (17/30), Staphylococcus aureus (6/30), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4/30), and Klebsiella spp. (3/30).
- Acanthamoeba spp. detected in 12% (6/50) by culture and 22% (11/50) by PCR.
- All identified Acanthamoeba isolates belonged to the T4 genotype.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of Acanthamoeba T4 genotype was observed in the urine of recurrent UTI patients.
- This study presents the first evidence of Acanthamoeba colonization in the urinary tracts of patients experiencing recurrent UTIs.
- Further research is recommended to explore Acanthamoeba's role in harboring resistant bacteria and promoting biofilm formation.
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