Genotyping of Acanthamoeba in Rural Drinking Water Sources in Kashan and Aran-Bidgol, Iran

Acanthamoeba spp. are an opportunistic protozoan in environmental sources that can cause respiratory infection and keratitis. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and genotypes of Acanthamoeba in rural drinking water sources in Kashan and Aran-Bidgol, Iran. In this study, 162 samples from 54 drinking water sources were collected in 2017. After samples filtration, they were cultured on non-nutrient agar to isolate free-living amoeba. After DNA extraction, the Polymerase Chain Reaction using JDP1, JDP2 primers was performed to detect Acanthamoeba spp. and finally the genotype of eight isolates was determined. Data analysis was done in SPSS applying Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test. Among the samples 35.2% were found to be contaminated with free-living amoeba, among which 19 isolates (11.7%) were confirmed as Acanthamoeba. The rates of free-living amoeba and Acanthamoba were 35.4% and 11.8%, respectively, in Kashan, which were higher than those in Aran-Bidgol. Frequency of free-living amoeba in Qanat, well, and spring was 55.6%, 30.2%, and 26.7%, respectively. Acanthamoeba contamination rates were 13.9%, 11.5% and 10%, respectively. Acanthamoeba contamination rate was higher in surface wells than that in deep wells. The genotype of all Acanthamoeba isolates belonged to T4. This study revealed that drinking water sources were contaminated with free-living amoeba and Acanthamoeba. All isolates were T4 genotype, therefore, these sources could be considered as a risk factor for public health.