Occurrence of small free-living amoebae from natural water resources

Abstract

Small free-living amoebae are also called as amphizoic amoebae, because of their capability to exist both as free-living as well as opportunistically pathogenic. Some of the species of Naegleria and Acanthamoeba are known to cause fatal disease (Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis= PAM and Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis= GAE) of central nervous system affecting brain and amoebic keratitis affecting eyes. The purpose of our study was to find out whether small free-living amoebae were also found in natural resource of water such as river and pond from Lucknow region. A total 68 samples of water were collected from six different sites of Gomti River and four different ponds from Lucknow city. A total 38 samples were found to be positive for small free-living amoebae. The most common amoebae present were species of Naegleria, Schizopyrenus, Acanthamoeba, Hartmennella and Vannella. Out of total 47 water samples from Gomti River, 27 samples were positive for amoebae and out of 21 samples of ponds examined 11 were found to be positive. The occurrence of these amoebae in natural water sources such as river and pond in Lucknow region poses a threat to human being for meddling with water without taking adequate care. Since the pathogenic strains of amoebae are known to infect human being via nasal route during swimming and/or via. cut in the skin/ body via haematogenous route. Exposure of eyes with contaminated water may cause amoebic keratitis in human being. A great awareness among masses is essential to educate about these new amoebic disease. their possible preventive measures and occurrence of these pathogenic amoebae from natural water resources.