Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 25, 2025

Discovery of New Intracellular Pathogens by Amoebal Coculture and Amoebal Enrichment Approaches
09:04

Discovery of New Intracellular Pathogens by Amoebal Coculture and Amoebal Enrichment Approaches

Published on: October 27, 2013

14.7K

Free-Living Amoebae in Soil Samples from Santiago Island, Cape Verde

Djeniffer Sousa-Ramos1, María Reyes-Batlle1,2,3, Natália K Bellini1,4

  • 1Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.

Microorganisms
|August 7, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Free-Living Amoebae (FLA), potentially pathogenic protozoa, were detected in soil samples from Cape Verde. This study highlights the need for public health guidelines regarding FLA in human-related environments.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Public Health
  • Protozoology

Background:

  • Free-Living Amoebae (FLA) are protozoa found globally in soil and water.
  • Certain FLA species are opportunistic pathogens causing severe human diseases like encephalitis and keratitis.
  • Currently, no global regulations exist for FLA in soil, nor established protocols for prevention or disinfection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and diversity of potentially pathogenic FLA in soil samples from Santiago Island, Cabo Verde.
  • To identify FLA genera and genotypes, particularly Acanthamoeba, in human-associated soil environments.
  • To establish a baseline for FLA presence in Cape Verde, a region with limited prior research.

Main Methods:

  • Collection and analysis of 26 soil samples from Santiago Island, Cabo Verde.
  • Cultivation of FLA on non-nutrient agar plates.
  • DNA extraction and PCR amplification of the 18S rRNA gene for FLA identification.
  • Genotyping of isolated Acanthamoeba strains.

Main Results:

  • FLA were detected in 17 out of 26 (65.4%) soil samples.
  • Acanthamoeba was the predominant genus (82.4%), with T4 genotype being most common (92.9%).
  • Other identified genera included Vermamoeba, Stenamoeba, and Vannella. Notably, Vermamoeba vermiformis was found in beach sand, a novel finding globally.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence of FLA in Cape Verde, with Acanthamoeba as the dominant genus.
  • The findings underscore the potential public health risk posed by pathogenic FLA in the sampled environment.
  • Further research is recommended to assess the specific pathogenic potential of isolated strains and inform public health strategies.
Keywords:
AcanthamoebaCape VerdeSantiago islandfree-living amoebaesoil

More Related Videos

A Rapid Strategy for the Isolation of New Faustoviruses from Environmental Samples Using Vermamoeba vermiformis09:27

A Rapid Strategy for the Isolation of New Faustoviruses from Environmental Samples Using Vermamoeba vermiformis

Published on: June 4, 2016

7.9K
A Standardized Procedure for Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms in Chile by Metabarcoding Analysis09:47

A Standardized Procedure for Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms in Chile by Metabarcoding Analysis

Published on: August 26, 2021

5.5K

Related Concept Videos

Diversity of Protists I01:15

Diversity of Protists I

Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...
549
Diversity of Protists IV01:27

Diversity of Protists IV

Amoebozoa represent a diverse group of terrestrial and aquatic protists that utilize lobe-shaped pseudopodia for locomotion and feeding. This characteristic differentiates them from the Rhizaria, which possess threadlike pseudopodia. The primary classifications within Amoebozoa include gymnamoebas, entamoebas, and the plasmodial and cellular slime molds. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that Amoebozoa diverged from a lineage that ultimately gave rise to fungi and animals.Gymnamoebas and...
513
Diversity of Protists III01:27

Diversity of Protists III

Rhizaria are a diverse group of unicellular protists characterized by their threadlike cytoplasmic extensions known as pseudopodia. These structures aid in both locomotion and feeding, giving Rhizaria an amoeboid appearance. Their amoeboid morphology once led to taxonomic confusion, but molecular phylogenetics has clarified their evolutionary placement and emphasized their shared use of pseudopodia despite divergent lineages.This clade comprises diverse lineages such as Chlorarachniophyta,...
494
Diversity of Protists II01:27

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
560
Green Algae01:21

Green Algae

Green algae, also referred to as chlorophytes, are different from red algae in having the chloroplasts containing chlorophylls a and b, which give them their distinct green hue. However, they lack phycobiliproteins, preventing them from developing the red or blue-green pigmentation seen in red algae. In terms of photosynthetic pigment composition, green algae closely resemble plants and share a close evolutionary relationship with them. Taxonomically Green algae belong to Phylum Chlorophyta in...
304