Environmental water surveillance for free-living amoeba in North India

Free-living amoebae (FLA) exist in various environmental sources and are the causative agents of many serious human diseases. We surveyed various natural and artificial water bodies in areas of north India to detect the presence of FLA species.

Surface water samples were collected from 29 water bodies and subjected to microscopy, non-nutrient agar (NNA) culture, and various polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the detection of FLA.

FLA were found in 62.1% (18/29) of the natural and artificial water bodies by NNA culture. Based on PCR based detection, Acanthamoeba spp. was identified in 41.4% (12/29), Vannella spp./Vahlkampfia ovis in 17.2% (5/29) and Naegleria spp. in 20.7% (6/29) of the samples from different locations. PCR-sequencing of Naegleria positive samples identified them as Naegleria australiensis and Naegleria species.

The present study reports widespread occurrence of medically important FLA species in various natural and artificial water bodies, and highlights the need for regular molecular surveillance of FLA in the environment for better control and prevention of the diseases caused by FLA.