Abstract
Acanthamoeba, an opportunistic pathogen is known to cause an infection of the cornea, central nervous system, and skin. Acanthamoeba feeds different microorganisms, including potentially pathogenic prokaryotes; some of microbes have developed ways of surviving intracellularly and this may mean that Acanthamoeba acts as incubator of important pathogens. A systematic review of the literature was performed in order to capture a comprehensive picture of the variety of microbial species identified within Acanthamoeba following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Forty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, 26 studies (60.5%) examined environmental samples, eight (18.6%) studies examined clinical specimens, and another nine (20.9%) studies analysed both types of samples. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by gene sequencing was the most common technique used to identify the intracellular microorganisms. Important pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli, Mycobacterium spp. and P. aeruginosa, were observed in clinical isolates of Acanthamoeba, whereas Legionella, adenovirus, mimivirus, and unidentified bacteria (Candidatus) were often identified in environmental Acanthamoeba. Increasing resistance of Acanthamoeba associated intracellular pathogens to antimicrobials is an increased risk to public health. Molecular-based future studies are needed in order to assess the microbiome residing in Acanthamoeba, as a research on the hypotheses that intracellular microbes can affect the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba infections.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilAcanthamoeba, a ubiquitously distributed free-living amoeba, is known to cause a rare, but potentially sight-threatening, painful, often misdiagnosed, and difficult to treat corneal infection, keratitis, and meningoencephalitis, a fatal infection of the central nervous system (CNS) [1,2,3,4,5]
The major aims of this review are: (a) to determine the laboratory techniques that have been used for the isolation and identification of intracellular microbes in Acanthamoeba spp.; (b) to assess whether different ways of culturing Acanthamoeba affect the types of intracellular bacteria; (c) to examine which microbes are most commonly found inside Acanthamoeba spp.; and (d) to determine whether environmental and clinical isolates of Acanthamoeba harbor the same intracellular prokaryotes
This study systematically reviewed articles on the types of intracellular microorganisms in Acanthamoeba
Summary
Introduction published maps and institutional affilAcanthamoeba, a ubiquitously distributed free-living amoeba, is known to cause a rare, but potentially sight-threatening, painful, often misdiagnosed, and difficult to treat corneal infection, keratitis, and meningoencephalitis, a fatal infection of the central nervous system (CNS) [1,2,3,4,5]. Acanthamoeba spp. can cause sinusitis and cutaneous lesions in immunocompromised individuals, such as AIDS patients [3,4,6] It has two distinct stages in its life cycle, an active phagotrophic trophozoite and a quiescent double walled cyst stage, with the cyst stage enabling the amoeba to remain viable for many years, even in harsh conditions, including chlorine treated water [7,8]. The infective form is the trophozoite stage, both trophozoites and cysts can gain entry into the human body via different routes, such as debrided skin, cornea, and nasal passages [9] Based on their morphology, Acanthamoeba species have been broadly classified into three groups (I, II, and III) [10] and pathogenic strains are common of group II [11].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
