Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of FLA from different water sources in Egypt

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Shawkey L.A.; Elfeky F.A.; Abou-Elnour B.M.; El-Wakil E.S.

Journal: Journal of Water and Health

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Publication Date: 20 January 2022

Volume / Issue: Volume 20 / Issue 2

Pages: 450–458

ISSN: 14778920

DOI: 10.2166/WH.2022.289

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 36366997

Document Type: Article

Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access

Authors and Affiliations

Shawkey L.A., Reference Laboratory for Drinking Water, Holding Company of Water and Waste Water, Shopra Elkhiema, Qalyubia, 13772, Egypt; Elfeky F.A., Zoology Department, Faculty of Science for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11754, Egypt; Abou-Elnour B.M., Zoology Department, Faculty of Science for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11754, Egypt; El-Wakil E.S., Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Kornaish El-Nile, Warrak El-Hadar, Imbaba (P.O. 30), Giza, 12411, Egypt

Abstract

Free-living amoebae (FLA) are protozoa ubiquitously found in nature. In addition to their natural distribution, some species have been documented as pathogenic to humans. The main aim of the current study was the molecular identification, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of morphologically detected FLA in water sources in El-Qalyubia, Egypt. A total of 96 water samples were collected from different water sources. Each water sample was filtrated and cultured on non-nutrient agar (NNA). Morphologically positive FLA were subjected to PCR, PCR products were sequenced and the obtained sequences were phylogenetically analysed. FLA were found in 41 water samples examined (42.7%). Nile water and groundwater were the sources with the highest prevalence rates (83.3 and 62.5%, respectively). Naegleria italica was first identified in Egypt from the waters of the Nile. In addition, Vahlkampfia spp. and Hartmannella spp. were also detected. However, other FLA species, including Acanthamoeba spp. and the pathogenic Naegleria fowleri, previously reported in Egypt, were not included in this study. The recent identification of these FLA in the Egyptian waters related to human populations indicates the need for more phylogenetic studies using larger sample sizes to investigate their potential threat to human health. © 2022 The Authors

Keywords

Egypt; free-living amoebae; PCR; sequence analysis; water sources; Amoeba; Humans; Naegleria; Phylogeny; Water; drinking water; ground water; internal transcribed spacer; ribosome DNA; river water; tap water; disease prevalence; groundwater; molecular analysis; morphology; phylogenetics; protozoan; public health; amoeba (life cycle stage); Article; controlled study; DNA marker; Hartmannella; molecular phylogeny; molecular weight; morphological trait; Naegleria italica; nonhuman; parasite identification; parasite prevalence; phylogenetic tree; polymerase chain reaction; trophozoite; Vahlkampfia; water filtration; water sampling; water supply; human; parasitology

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 1

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