Ability of Acanthamoeba Cyst to Excyst at Different Temperatures

Authors

  • Mohamed Kamel Abd Ghani Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • Nurul Fariza Rossle
  • Anisah Nordin
  • Yusof Suboh
  • Noraina Ab Rahim

Keywords:

Thermotolerance, Acanthamoeba cyst, Excystation

Abstract

This study was carried out to observe thermotolerance ability of Acanthamoeba spp. A total of 32 Acanthamoeba spp. isolates obtained from water taps, sinks, swimming pools and sea water were used. Trophozoites of Acanthamoeba spp. were inoculated onto non-nutrient agar (NNA) seeded with heat-killed Escherichia coli using aseptic technique and incubated for 14 days at 30°C to obtain the cyst. The cysts were subcultured onto new agar plates for thermotolerance test at 37°C and 42°C. The plates were observed until 96 hours after incubation for excystation of Acanthamoeba before being declared negative. Overall, 81.25% of samples were able to excyst at 37°C while 37.5% were able to excyst at 42°C. Thermotolerant Acanthamoeba is associated with high pathogenicity potential.

Author Biography

Mohamed Kamel Abd Ghani, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Biomedical Science ProgrammeSchool of Diagnostics & Applied Health Faculty of Health Sciences

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Published

2011-06-30

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Section

Articles