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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Revisiting the Acanthamoeba species that form star-shaped cysts (genotypes T7, T8, T9, and T17): characterization of seven new Brazilian environmental isolates and phylogenetic inferences

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Author(s):
Magliano, Ana C. M. [1] ; Teixeira, Marta M. G. [1] ; Alfieri, Silvia C. [1]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Parasitol, Inst Ciencias Biomed, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
Document type: Journal article
Source: Parasitology; v. 139, n. 1, p. 45-52, JAN 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 5
Abstract

Free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are the agents of both opportunistic and non-opportunistic infections and are frequently isolated from the environment. Of the 17 genotypes (T1-T17) identified thus far, 4 (T7, T8, T9, and T17) accommodate the rarely investigated species of morphological group I, those that form large, star-shaped cysts. We report the isolation and characterization of 7 new Brazilian environmental Acanthamoeba isolates, all assigned to group I. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial (similar to 1200 bp) SSU rRNA gene sequences placed the new isolates in the robustly supported clade composed of the species of morphological group I. One of the Brazilian isolates is closely related to A. comandoni (genotype T9), while the other 6, together with 2 isolates recently assigned to genotype T17, form a homogeneous, well-supported group (2-0% sequence divergence) that likely represents a new Acanthamoeba species. Thermotolerance, osmotolerance, and cytophatic effects, features often associated with pathogenic potential, were also examined. The results indicated that all 7 Brazilian isolates grow at temperatures up to 40 degrees C, and resist under hvperosmotic conditions. Additionally, media conditioned by each of the new Acanthamoeba isolates induced the disruption of SIRC and HeLa cell monolayers. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 09/53574-9 - Axenic culture establishment and characterization of Brazilian Acanthamoeba isolates: genotyping, phylogenetic inferences and pathogenic potential
Grantee:Silvia Celina Alfieri
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants