First report of successful Naegleria detection from environmental resources of some selected areas of Rawlakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

Abstract

Naegleria belongs to the free-living amoeba family and is well-known as a human pathogen. It is recognized as etiological agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis involving central nervous system which always leads to death. To date, there is not a single report demonstrating Naegleria isolation and identification from environmental sources of Rawlakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan, and thus the aim of this study. Naegleria was isolated on non-nutrient agar plates seeded with heat killed E. coli and confirmed by morphological properties of the both stages of cyst or trophozoites. Furthermore, PCR was conducted along with direct sequencing of the PCR product for molecular identification. PCR and sequencing data verified the amplification of Naegleria sp. (07) and Vahlkampfia sp. (01) from both water and soil samples. Interestingly two species were successfully isolated and cultured on both 30 and 45°C. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report demonstrating the Naegleria isolation and molecular characterization from environmental sources of Rawlakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The author is anxious for further evaluation of the pathogenic potential of the identified species and explores drinking water across Pakistan to investigate its quality and frequency of FLA, which might be a possible human hazard in future.