Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Acanthamoeba Strains from Dental Units in Costa Rica |
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| Authors: | Lissette Retana‐Moreira Elizabeth Abrahams‐Sandí Esteban Castro‐Artavia Ana Fernández‐Sánchez Alfredo Castro‐Castillo María Reyes‐Batlle Jacob Lorenzo‐Morales |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica;2. Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica;3. Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain |
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| Abstract: | Free‐living amoebae are protozoa widely distributed in nature, which can be found in a variety of environments. Four genera are recognized as causal agents of infections in humans and animals: Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, Balamuthia, and Sappinia. In this study, the presence of Acanthamoeba in dental units was determined and the isolates obtained were molecularly characterized; osmotolerance and thermotolerance assays were also performed to evaluate multiplication under these conditions, frequently associated with pathogenicity. The morphological analysis and partial sequencing of the 18S rDNA gene revealed the presence of Acanthamoeba genotype T4 in 14% of the units sampled. Osmotolerance and thermotolerance tests were positive for more than 80% of the isolates. Up to date, this is the first study that reports the detection, identification, and genotyping of Acanthamoeba isolated from dental units in Costa Rica and even in Latin‐America. Further assays to determine the potential pathogenicity of these Acanthamoeba isolates are underway. |
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| Keywords: | Free‐living amoebae identification odontology pathogenicity water |
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