Identification of Naegleria fowleri and other Naegleria spp. (free-living amoebae) using cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis of glucose phosphate isomerase |
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Authors: | Simon Kilvington |
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Institution: | Public Health Laboratory, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath BAI 3NG, UK |
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Abstract: | Abstract A simple isoenzyme cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis method with respect to glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) was developed for the differentiation of the human pathogenic free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri from other Naegleria spp. A single GPI band was detected in all the species tested, the relative mobility of which could be used to identify N. fowleri . Of the other Naegleria spp., only N. italica and N. jadini shared a common GPI mobility. No intraspecies variation in GPI profile was detected, regardless of whether the strains were cultured in monoxenic or axenic media. The technique is proposed as a useful means of identifying N. fowleri soon after isolation from the environment. |
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Keywords: | Free-living amoebae Naegleria spp Naegleria fowleri Glucose phosphate isomerase Isoenzyme electrophoresis Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis |
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