Dataset Information

Surveillance and Molecular Identification of Acanthamoeba and Naegleria Species in Two Swimming Pools in Alexandria University, Egypt.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Swimming in contaminated water was reported to be associated with Acanthamoeba and N. fowleri human infections. The present study was carried out with the aim of isolation and identification of the different species of Acanthamoeba and Naegleria from two swimming pools in Alexandria University. METHODS:Samples were collected from the swimming pools of Alexandria University Stadium and Faculty of Agriculture-Alexandria University during the period from May 2012 to April 2013. RESULTS:Free-living amoebae were prevalent in the collected samples. Molecular characterization confirmed the identity of ten Acanthamoeba isolates and seven Naegleria isolates. Acanthamoeba T3, T4, T5, T11 and T15 genotypes were identified. Acanthamoeba T4 was the most prevalent genotype. CONCLUSION:The relatively high prevalence of Acanthamoeba, especially genotype T4, indicates the presence of a health hazard to swimmers particularly those wearing contact lenses. Naegleria fowleri was not found during the present study.

SUBMITTER: Al-Herrawy AZ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5527029 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Surveillance and Molecular Identification of <i>Acanthamoeba</i> and <i>Naegleria</i> Species in Two Swimming Pools in Alexandria University, Egypt.

Al-Herrawy Ahmad Z AZ Khalil Mahmoud I MI El-Sherif Soheir S SS Omar Fatima A E FAE Lotfy Wael M WM

Iranian journal of parasitology 20170401 2

<h4>Background</h4>Swimming in contaminated water was reported to be associated with <i>Acanthamoeba</i> and <i>N. fowleri</i> human infections. The present study was carried out with the aim of isolation and identification of the different species of <i>Acanthamoeba</i> and <i>Naegleria</i> from two swimming pools in Alexandria University.<h4>Methods</h4>Samples were collected from the swimming pools of Alexandria University Stadium and Faculty of Agriculture-Alexandria University during the pe ...[more]

PMID: 28761479

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Project description:BackgroundFood labeling is an important public health tool allowing consumers to make informed and healthy choices. Considering how important it is for consumers to be aware of food labels while choosing healthy foods, this study aims at assessing public awareness, attitude, and practice regarding food labeling in Alexandria Governorate, Egypt.MethodsA cross sectional study using a predesigned interview questionnaire to collect data from 719 adult consumers from both sexes (28.2% males: 71.8% females), recruited from different branches of one of the largest supermarkets in Alexandria.ResultsMore than half of the participants (55.6%) reported reading food labels. The most frequently read information was production/ expiry date (76.8%), product name (68.3%), and ingredients (38.0%) while the least frequently read was nutritional facts (29.9%). More than half of the study sample (50.9%) had low awareness about the content of food labels, nevertheless, having higher scores on awareness about food labels predicted reading practice. Nearly three-quarters of the respondents had average to good food label reading practice. Most respondents (81.8%) had a favorable attitude about food labeling in its present form, however, higher attitude scores did not seem to influence their use of food labels. Being older (β = 0.045, CI; 0.014-0.076, p = 0.005), being female (β = 1.162, CI; 0.541-1.784, p = 0.000), having secondary education or equivalent (β = 1.042,CI; 0.050-2.034, p = 0.040), having university education or beyond (β = 3.090, CI; 2.132-4.048, p = 0.000), and having higher scores on awareness about food labels (β = 1.407, CI; 1.324-1.490, p = 0.000) were significant predictors of reading food labels.ConclusionsMost of the studied consumers had a positive attitude towards food labeling, however, more than half of them had low awareness of food labeling content. Nutritional facts were the least frequently read by consumers. Reading food labels was significantly predicted by having higher education, being older, being a female, and having better awareness.

Project description:The genus Legionella comprises more than 60 species, and about half are associated with infection. Legionella pneumophila is the most commonly associated with these infections and by far the most studied, but L. non-pneumophila species, such as L. feeleii, L. anisa, etc., may also present clinical importance. Free-living amoebae are their preferred environmental host, where these bacteria not only survive but also succeed in multiplying, and this relationship can lead to an increase in bacterial virulence. The goal of this study was to evaluate the alterations of Legionella pathogenicity due to its interaction with Acanthamoeba. For this, the expression of protein effectors SdhA, LegK2, and SidK were evaluated in L. pneumophila and L. feeleii, before and after infecting Acanthamoeba. Additionally, the host response was evaluated by measuring the production of IL-6, IL-8, and IFN-? in infected macrophages. Regarding the virulence factors, an increase in SdhA expression was observed after these bacteria infected Acanthamoeba, with a higher increase in the macrophage cultures infected with L. feeleii. Also, an increase in the expression of LegK2 was observed after infecting Acanthamoeba, but it was more intense in the cultures infected with L. pneumophila. With regard to SidK, it was increased in L. feeleii after infecting Acanthamoeba, however the same effect was not observed for L. pneumophila. In cytokine production, the effect on IL-6 and IL-8 was similar for both cytokines, increasing their concentration, but higher production was observed in the cultures infected with L. feeleii, even though it demonstrated slightly lower production with the inoculum obtained from Acanthamoeba. Concerning IFN-?, induction was observed in both species but higher in the infection by L. pneumophila. Nevertheless, it is not known if this induction is enough to promote an efficient immune response against either L. pneumophila or L. feeleii. Altogether, these alterations seem to increase L. feeleii virulence after infecting Acanthamoeba. However, this increase does not seem to turn L. feeleii as virulent as L. pneumophila. More studies are necessary to understand the aspects influenced in these bacteria by their interaction with Acanthamoeba and, thus, identify targets to be used in future therapeutic approaches.

Dataset Information

Surveillance and Molecular Identification of Acanthamoeba and Naegleria Species in Two Swimming Pools in Alexandria University, Egypt.

Publications

Surveillance and Molecular Identification of <i>Acanthamoeba</i> and <i>Naegleria</i> Species in Two Swimming Pools in Alexandria University, Egypt.

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