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Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz
ISSN: 1678-8060 EISSN: 1678-8060
Vol. 112, No. 12, 2017, pp. 817-821
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Bioline Code: oc17118
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Vol. 112, No. 12, 2017, pp. 817-821
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Potentially pathogenic Acanthamoeba genotype T4 isolated from dental units and emergency combination showers
Castro-Artavia, Esteban; Retana-Moreira, Lissette; Lorenzo-Morales, Jacob & Abrahams-Sandí, Elizabeth
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acanthamoeba is the genus of free-living amoebae that is most frequently isolated in nature. To date, 20
Acanthamoeba genotypes have been described. Genotype T4 is responsible for approximately 90% of encephalitis and keratitis
cases. Due to the ubiquitous presence of amoebae, isolation from environmental sources is not uncommon; to determine the
clinical importance of an isolation, it is necessary to have evidence of the pathogenic potential of amoebae.
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to physiologically characterise 8 Acanthamoeba T4 isolates obtained from dental units
and emergency combination showers and to determine their pathogenic potential by employing different laboratory techniques.
METHODS Eight axenic cultures of Acanthamoeba genotype T4 were used in pathogenic potential assays. Osmotolerance, thermotolerance,
determination and characterisation of extracellular proteases and evaluation of cytopathic effects in MDCK cells were performed.
FINDINGS All of the isolates were osmotolerant, thermotolerant and had serine proteases from 44-122 kDa. Two isolates had
cytopathic effects on the MDCK cell monolayer.
MAIN CONCLUSION The presence of Acanthamoeba T4 with pathogenic potential in areas such as those tested in this study
reaffirms the need for adequate cleaning and maintenance protocols to reduce the possibility of infection with free-living amoebae.
Keywords
Acanthamoeba genotype T4; free-living amoeba; dental unit; emergency combination showers
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