Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Kao, P.‐M.
• Tung, M.‐C.
• Hsu, B.‐M.
• Hsueh, C.‐J.
• Chiu, Y.‐C.
• Chen, N.‐H.
• Shen, S.‐M.
• Huang, Y.‐L.

Titel

Occurrence and distribution of Naegleria species from thermal spring environments in Taiwan

Ist Teil von

• Letters in applied microbiology, 2013-01, Vol.56 (1), p.1-7

Ort / Verlag

Oxford: Blackwell

Erscheinungsjahr

2013

Quelle

Wiley-Blackwell Journals

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Naegleria spp. is a free‐living amoeba that can be found in the natural environment. A number of Naegleria spp. can cause fatal infections in the central nervous system in humans and animals, and the most important source of infection is through direct water contact. In this study, water samples from various thermal springs were taken from four thermal spring areas. Naegleria spp. was detected via culture confirmation and molecular taxonomic identification. Among the 60 samples obtained, Naegleria spp. was identified in 26 (43·3%) samples. The identified species included Naegleria australiensis, Naegleria gruberi, Naegleria lovaniensis and Naegleria mexicana. The presence of living Naegleria spp. was significantly associated with elevated pH value in the water sample. Significance and Impact of Study In this study, we examined the presence of living Naegleria spp. in thermal spring waters in south‐eastern Taiwan. Naegleria spp. was isolated and culture‐confirmed from thermal spring water. Naegleria fowleri was not found in all water samples, and Naegleria australiensis was the most common Naegleria genotype. Significance and Impact of Study: In this study, we examined the presence of living Naegleria spp. in thermal spring waters in south‐eastern Taiwan. Naegleria spp. was isolated and culture‐confirmed from thermal spring water. Naegleria fowleri was not found in all water samples, and Naegleria australiensis was the most common Naegleria genotype.