Abstract:

Background and Aim: Free-living amoebas (FLAs) are eukaryotic protozoans that can be found in different environmental resources such as fresh and saline water, soil, and dust. These amoebas include various families and genera such as Acanthamoeba, Vermamoeba and Vahlkampfiids, and some of them are pathogenic to human. As there were no previous study on isolation of Vermamoeba and Vahlkampfiids in water sources of Jolfa county, the aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Vermamoeba and Vahlkampfiids according to morphological characteristics in water resources of Jolfa County, East Azerbaijan province, Iran.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the years 2013-2014. In the present study 50 samples were collected from water resources of Jolfa County including tap water, ponds of recreational places, hot springs and swimming pools. After transferring to laboratory the samples filtered thought cellulose nitrate filters and after that cultured on 1.5% non-nutrient agar medium containing Escherichia coli bacteria at room temperature. Finally, after 1 week the cultured samples were investigated by microscopic method and investigation continued up to 3 months. Eventually, using SPPS V22.0 software and descriptive method obtained data analyzed.

Results: Based on the morphological characteristics and page key 18 samples out of a total of 50 samples (36% of samples) were found positive. Vermamoeba genus according to round and small cysts and wormy shape trophozoites and Vahlkampfiids according to double separated layer cysts and trophozoites morphology with lobopodia were identified. 10 samples belonged to Vermamoeba genus, 6 samples belonged to Vahlkampfiids and 2 samples had mix contamination.

Conclusion: Since a high percentage of water resources of Jolfa County were contaminated with potentially pathogen amoebas; therefore, adopting the appropriate methods including warning signs at the side of water resources of Jolfa County, periodic assessment of tap waters and recreational waters and people awareness seems necessary to prevent FLAs related illnesses. More researches in this area are recommended.