Occurrence Of Amoebae Research Articles

The occurrence of Entamoeba gingivalis among patients with periodontal disease

Abstract According to some studies, the Entamoeba gingivalis colonizing the gingival tissue is an important agent in bringing about periodontitis. Other studies, however, deem it an opportunist that is able to survive in the medium induced by periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis infection in patients from the Department of Periodontology, and compare this population with that of healthy people, so as to analyze the relationships between infection and patient sex and age. The result of this work is that in both groups, a correlation (p = 0,19) has been noted between the occurrence of amoebae and other diseases in the oral cavity. Indeed, 81,4% of all patients with some periodontal disease showed the presence of amoeba. Among those who are not afflicted with oral diseases, the presence of amoeba was indicated in 62,5% of the total. In addition, a correlation between the person's age and the presence of protozoa (p = 0,15) was strongly marked among women (p = 0,19). In the three age groups of women in this study (40-49, 60-69, and above 80 years), we observed a 100% presence of protozoa. Our study leads us to the conclusion that infections with Entamoeba gingivalis should be regarded as an factor that is associated with the pathological changes occurring in patients with periodontal diseases.

Detection of free-living amoebae using amoebal enrichment in a wastewater treatment plant of Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Free-living amoebae pose a potential health risk in water systems as they may be pathogenic and harbor potential pathogenic bacteria known as amoebae resistant bacteria. Free-living amoebae were observed in 150 (87.2%) of the environmental water samples. In particular, Acanthamoeba sp. was identified in 22 (12.8%) using amoebal enrichment and confirmed by molecular analysis. FLA were isolated in all 8 stages of the wastewater treatment plant using the amoebal enrichment technique. A total of 16 (9.3%) samples were positive for FLA from influent, 20 (11.6%) from bioreactor feed, 16 (9.3%) from anaerobic zone, 16 (9.3%) from anoxic zone, 32 (18.6%) from aerators, 16 (9.3%) from bioreactor effluent, 11 (6.4%) from bioreactor final effluent, and 45 (26.2%) from maturation pond. This study provides baseline information on the occurrence of amoebae in wastewater treatment plant. This has health implications on receiving water bodies as some FLA are pathogenic and are also involved in the transmission and dissemination of pathogenic bacteria.

Occurrence of small free-living amoebae from natural water resources

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.

Occurrence of Amoebae on Oak Leaf Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) and Boston Lettuce (L. sativa var. capitata)1

ABSTRACTThe colonization, distribution, population density, and species diversity of amoebae on leaves of Oak Leaf lettuce, Lactuca sativa var. crispa, and Boston lettuce, L. sativa var. capitata, were investigated. The role of soil in the colonization of Oak Leaf lettuce was determined by comparing numbers of amoebae present on basal leaves (those that pass through soil) with numbers on wrapped leaves (those that do not pass through soil). Amoebae were present in ten samples of basal leaves and ranged from 154–1510/g of leaf tissue. Wrapped leaves failed to yield amoebae in seven of ten trials and contained <4 amoebae/g of tissue. Mean values for the population density of amoebae on Oak Leaf basal leaves and Boston lettuce leaves were 484 ± 133 and 453 ± 93, respectively. The distribution of amoebae on green and white parts of leaves from both kinds of lettuce was studied. The occurrence of amoebae on rinsed, unrinsed, visibly clean, and visibly dirty samples of Boston lettuce leaves was established.

Presence of Amoebae in the Rhizosphere of a Beach Grass1

ABSTRACTThe occurrence of amoebae in the rhizosphere of a beach grass (Panicum sp.) collected at the Hempstead Lake State Park, Long Island, New York, was investigated throughout the growing season of 198 1. Amoebae achieved increased population density in the root system when compared with that in the surrounding bare sand; moreover, numbers of amoebae were higher only during the period of active plant growth and up to flowering. Following flowering, the numbers of amoebae in the root system fell to the level found in bare sand. The species diversity of amoebae in this system was compared with that in the carposphere of the mushroom Laccaria trullisata which appears at the same site but at a different time of year.

Occurrence of Amoebae In and Around the Mushroom Laccaria trullisata

ABSTRACT. Studies performed with the basidiomycete Laccaria trullisata collected from the sandy beach at the Hempstead Lake State Park, Long Island, New York, during the growing seasons of 1979 and 1980, have demonstrated a carposphere (equivalent to rhizosphere) effect. This region exerts a positive influence on the population density of amoebae when numbers are compared with those obtained in the bare sand 5 cm away. Moreover, amoebae have been shown to exist in, and have been recovered from, internal tissue of the cap (72%) and stalk (91%) of these mushrooms. A partial characterization of three strains of amoebae isolated from the internal tissue of L. trullisata and established in clonal culture is presented.

Studies on some amoebae (Amoebida) and Helicosporidium parasiticum (Helicosporida) infecting moss-mites (Oribatei, Acarina) in forest soil samples

A case of protozoan infections by some endozoic amoebae (Amoebida), and Helicosporidium parasiticumKeilin 1921 (Helicosporida) in six species of moss-mites (Oribatei, Acarina) from forest soil samples from Lower Saxony, Federal Republic of Germany, is preliminarily discussed. While the amoebae -were found in the gut, H. parasiticum seems to concentrate in the lymphocytes and fat body of host-animals. The shape of young and cystic stages of the amoebae, and sporocysts of the other parasite have been recorded by means of photomicrography; it gives the exact shape and size of young stages, as well as the form and size of cysts, or spores, respectively, which varied in the host-animals examined. Special attention has been paid to the fine structure of the spores of H. parasiticum. It shows that the mature spore of H. parasiticum in the moss-mite Phtiracarus globosus consists of a unilayered membrane, three nuclei containing some larger chromatoid bodies, and a very hard, vacuolated filament. The taxonomic position of the amoebae infecting moss-mites is not yet discussed owing to the lack of data on the morphology of some developmental stages which are important for their identification. The present study is the first information on the occurrence of amoebae and H. parasiticum in moss-mites. Their distribution and ultrastructure deserve further study. Obwohl die Hornmilben (Oribatei, Acarina) als wichtige Streuzersetzer und Überträger der Pilz- und Mikrosporidien-Krankheiten in pflanzenfressenden Haustieren (Schafe, usw.) durch Cestoden bekannt sind, gab es bis jetzt keine Hinweise auf das Vorkommen von Protozoen als Parasiten dieser Arthropoden-Gruppe. Unsere Untersuchungen über die Verbreitung und den Parasitenbefall von Hornmilben (außer den anderen Bodentiergruppen) in 26 Waldbeständen Niedersachsens brachten folgende Ergebnisse: von insgesamt untersuchten Oribatiden- Arten waren nur 17 Arten von verschiedenen Protozoen, davon nur 6 Arten von Amoeben (Amoebida) und Helicosporidium parasiticum (Helicosporida) befallen (Tabelle 1). Der Entwicklungszyklus sowie die Sporengröße von H. parasiticum in Hornmilben stimmte mit denen in anderen bekannten Wirten überein. Die Ultrastruktur der reifen Spore zeigt eine dünne Membran, 3 Kerne (davon 2 mit Chromatinkörper) und ein sehr stark vacuolisiertes Filament. Die taxonomische Stellung der Amoeben wurde nicht näher bestimmt. Der nachgewiesene Amoebenbefall betrug 3 % bei Ph. globosus (n = 58), Phtiracarus sp. (n = 46), E. globulus (n = 112) und 2% bei C. dentatus (n = 83). Der Befall durch H. parasiticum war 3% bei Ph. globosus, Phtiracarus sp., Rh. duplicata (n = 311) und 2% bei M. minima (n = 98) (Tabelle 1).

Studies of limax amoebae in a Swimming Pool

Longlasting investigations have been performed in a swimming pool, which has been the source of a pathogenic agent responsible for 16 fatal cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. A description is given of the methods employed for confirming, by cultivation and microscopy, the presence of potential pathogenic strains of amoebae of the limax type in the water and in all areas of the swimming pool moistened by the water from the pool and also of methods employed for testing the pathogenicity of the isolated strains. Quantitative cultivation examination revealed that the concentration of amoebae capable of growth at 37°C in water treated with the prescribed amount of free chlorine and answering to all bacteriological and chemical norms, ranged from 102–103 specimens in one liter of water. The principle site of amoebic reproduction are the walls and the floor of the pool mainly in its deeper parts, where the density of protozoan populations may reach several thousands per 1 cm2. Also the large inner surface of the sand filter offers most favourable conditions for amoebic reproduction. No direct relationship has been observed between the occurrence of amoebae and the bacteriological and chemical state of the water. The presence of 11 species of amoebae of the limax group has been identified in the pool including several strains of the species Naegleria gruberi. The moderate pathogenic capability of only 5 strains of the species Acanthamoeba castellawi and A. polyphaga has been confirmed in experimental infection of mice. Pathogenic strains of the species Naegleria gruberi, the etiologic agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis of man, has not been found either in the pool itself or in the adjoining area. Various control measures have been suggested which may reduce the density of amoebae of the limax type in the pool and, hence, reduce the danger of infection with primary amoebic meningoencephalitis acquired through bathing.

A Comparative Study of Hartmannellid Amoebae

SYNOPSIS. Twenty strains of hartmannellid amoebae have been studied. All the strains grew axenically in liquid and chemically defined media. Strains were found to differ their rate of growth, optimum temperature for growth and in amino acid requirements. All except one strain (Lilly) were found to be serologically related by the immobilization test. Direct observation of the trophozoites and cysts, and the results of serological and physiological tests, have led to the conclusion that the 20 strains should comprise a single species until further information is gained on these and other representatives of the genus.Earlier literature on the classification of hartmannellid amoebae has been critically reviewed, and it is concluded that Hartmannella castellanii Douglas 1930 is the correct name for the species. It is suggested that Acanthamoeba castellanii (Volkonsky 1931), Hartmannella glebae (Dobell 1914) and H. rhysodes Singh 1952 became synonyms of H. castellanii, and that Mayorella palestinensis Reich 1933 be transferred to the genus Hartmannella.Some strains of H. castellanii were able to grow at mammalian body temperature. Since the species appears to be common and widely distributed, and farms cysts which resist desiccation, it is probable that the occurrence of amoebae in mammalian cell cultures has arisen by contamination from the air.