The comparison of microscopy, culture and molecular methods used in diagnosis of free-living acanthamoeba species isolated from environment in east and south east regions

Due to the presence of Acanthamoeba species in the natural environment, people at risk of becoming infected with this parasite. Acanthamoeba species occur such as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), cutaneous acanthamoebiasis, Acanthamoeba keratitis, AIDS, chronic sinusitis due to spread to various organs of the infection in patients with otitis, cutaneous lesions, sinus lesions,and skin ulcers. In this study, It was collected 65 water and soil samples from the environment in East and South East Anatolia regions located in Diyarbakir, Batman, Mardin, Siirt, Bitlis and Van provinces in Turkey of the swimming pool in the thermal springs, the baths, the irrigation canals, parks and the gardens. Six, 11 and 15 Acanthamoeba species found by microscopic examination, culture and conventional PCR and real time PCR methods, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of culture methods were compared with microscopy, conventional PCR and real time PCR method for Acanthamoeba spp.; The sensitivity was found as 100%, 73,33%, 73,33% and specificity was found as 91,53%, 100% and 100%, respectively. When the investigation made and positively found by culture and molecular analysis 15 samples were evaluated in 4 (%26,67) Acanthamoeba castellanii, in 3 (%20) with Acanthamoeba polyphaga and in 8 (%53,33) with Acanthamoeba palestinensis. This is the first field study was conducted in South-East Anatolia on Acanthamoeba spp. at the molecular level and the positive samples were genotyped from the natural environment that pose a risk for Acanthamoeba keratitis.