The occurrence of amphizoic Amebae in domestic animals

Random examination of domestic animals revealed the frequent presence of free-living amebae in their bodies. In diseased or dead cows, dogs, pigs, rabbits, pigeons, and turkeys 15 strains of amebae were found, belonging to the genera Acanthamoeba (A. polyphaga), Hartmannella (H. vermiformis), and Vahlkampfia (V. avara, V. enterica, V. inornata). They were usually accompanied by other infectious agents in different parts of the host bodies. Pathogenicity of 3 isolates could not be demonstrated by inoculation of laboratory animals. Some features of the isolates differed from those previously known for members of these genera. These strains may be considered amphizoic amebae according to Page (1974).