genotyping and pathogenicity evaluation of acanthamoeba spp. isolated from poultry slaughterhouse surfaces and water

Acanthamoeba is a genus of fracanthamoeba is a genus of free-living amoebae widely distributed in nature. this study aimed to investigate the presence of acanthamoeba on different surfaces of poultry slaughterhouses. totally 162 samples were collected from chiller tank water, sewage, and tap water, surfaces of sorting tables, and poultry carcass packing tables. samples were filtered and cultured on the non-nutrient agar medium enriched with escherichia coli. after dna extraction the pcr reaction was performed with specific primers based on the 18srrna gene to confirm the amoeba. ten positive samples were sequenced and the phylogenetic tree was constructed to characterize the amoeba. thermo and osmotolerance and cytotoxicity of the characterized samples were evaluated. acanthamoeba was isolated from all slaughterhouses and 66 samples (40.7%) were infected with amoeba. it was found that 6 samples belonged to the t4 genotype, 3 samples to t2, and one to t17. t4 and t2 trophozoites were able to tolerate high temperatures and osmolarities. but t17 could not grow in any of the temperatures of 37 and 42°c or high osmolarities. t4 isolates showed higher cytotoxicity, which was significant compared to t17. the toxicity of t4 was also higher than that of t2, but it was not significant. the toxicity of t2 isolate was significantly higher than t17. based on this study, the water and different surfaces of the poultry slaughterhouse can be contaminated with acanthamoeba. therefore, it is important to pay attention to the existence of this amoeba in the issues of disinfection and environmental health control.ee-living amoebae widely distributed in nature. this study aimed to investigate the presence of acanthamoeba on different surfaces of poultry slaughterhouses.