Genotyping of Acanthamoeba From Different Wards of Gonabad Bohlool Hospital, Northeastern Iran

Background: Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba that is widely found in nature in different environments such as soil, water, and dust. This parasite is the cause of amoebic keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. This study is aimed at investigating the prevalence and genotypes of Acanthamoeba in different wards of Gonabad Bohlool Hospital, northeastern Iran. Methods: One hundred and eighty-three samples were collected from equipment in various wards of Gonabad hospital in 2023; swabs were cultured in nonnutrient agar (NNA) medium with the addition of killed Escherichia coli. In positive samples containing stellate cysts, PCR molecular testing was performed using JDP1 and JDP2 primers. To confirm Acanthamoeba, genotyping and sequencing were also done. Results: Acanthamoeba sp. was observed in 114 out of 183 samples (62.30%). The highest percentage of Acanthamoeba contamination was in the emergency ward with 81.82%, and the lowest percentage was in the operating and imaging room with 50%. Moreover, the highest percentage of Acanthamoeba contamination was in staff areas and equipment with 66.67%, and the lowest percentage was 56.14% on medical equipment. Also, in this research, the Genotypes T4 (n = 10, 43.5%), T3 (n = 4, 17.4%), T5 (n = 4, 17.4%), T11 (n = 3, 13%), and T2 (n = 2, 8.7%) were determined. Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that Acanthamoeba is more common in the emergency ward and on the surfaces and equipment of the staff areas. Considering the dangerous complications caused by this amoeba, health education to increase awareness in the field of transmission as well as health measures to prevent contamination, including disinfection, is recommended.