Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
09:04
Discovery of New Intracellular Pathogens by Amoebal Coculture and Amoebal Enrichment Approaches
Published on: October 27, 2013
14.4K
Acanthamoeba spp.: Neglected Protists in Veterinary Medicine
Somayeh Bahrami1, Mehdi Zarei2, Fiona L Henriquez3
1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran. s.bahrami@scu.ac.ir.
Acta Parasitologica
|April 10, 2025
Summary
Acanthamoeba spp. are protozoa that can cause serious infections in animals. This review highlights their importance in veterinary medicine and the need for increased awareness among professionals.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Microbiology
- Animal Health
Background:
- Acanthamoeba spp. are ubiquitous protists found in diverse environments.
- These organisms can act as opportunistic pathogens, causing severe conditions like Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) in humans and animals.
- Veterinary diagnosis of Acanthamoeba infections is often challenging due to underdiagnosis and the need for specialized skills.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review documented natural Acanthamoeba spp. infections in animals.
- To increase awareness among veterinary professionals regarding the risks associated with Acanthamoeba.
- To underscore the significance of Acanthamoeba in veterinary medicine.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of documented natural infections of animals with Acanthamoeba spp.
- Analysis of Acanthamoeba's interactions with pathogenic bacteria in animal hosts.
Main Results:
- The review compiles records of natural Acanthamoeba infections across various animal species.
- It emphasizes the interplay between Acanthamoeba and pathogenic bacteria in animal infections.
- The findings highlight the critical role of Acanthamoeba spp. in veterinary pathology.
Conclusions:
- Acanthamebiasis should be a key consideration in the differential diagnosis of animal systemic diseases, particularly those with neurological signs.
- Recognizing Acanthamoeba as a cause of neglected infections is crucial for animal welfare and economic stability.
- Educating veterinarians and animal owners about Acanthamoeba is essential for timely diagnosis and management.
More Related Videos
03:46Author Spotlight: Coproparasitoscopic Examination of Dog Stools for Control and Prevention of Zoonotic Parasite Diseases
Published on: December 15, 2023
2.1K
07:33Author Spotlight: Studying Behavior of Acanthamoeba to Develop Targeted Strategies for Preventing Acanthamoeba Keratitis
Published on: September 20, 2024
2.5K
Related Concept Videos
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
01:15Diversity 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...
01:27Diversity 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...
01:27Diversity 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...
01:28Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant public health challenges globally due to its high seroprevalence and varied clinical manifestations. As an obligate intracellular parasite, T. gondii can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, but felids are its only definitive hosts, shedding unsporulated oocysts into the environment. Humans typically acquire the infection through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts from...
01:28Amebiasis
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...