Identificación de amebas de vida libre en agua y sedimentos en playas del litoral peruano

Abstract

Free-living amoebas (AVLs), such as Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, Balamuthia, and Vermamoeba, have been identified in both natural and man-made settings, such as hot springs and spas. Naegleria fowleri causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis, while Acanthamoeba and Balamuthia cause chronic granulomatous encephalitis. Acanthamoeba can also cause skin lesions and amoebic keratitis. This study aimed to identify the presence of these protozoa in 4 beaches and marine sediments on the Peruvian coast. The beach water and sediment samples were collected in a sterile manner and transferred to the laboratory for the identification of the AVL and the determination of the bacteriological quality of the water samples. The AVL most identified was Acanthamoeba both on the beaches and in the sediments of Totora, Boquerón, Talareño and Cangrejito, followed by Heteramoeba and Mayorella. Although infections due to pathogenic amoebas are considered rare, these deadly amoebas have recently been detected on beaches along the Peruvian coast. This is of particular concern, especially as global warming further exacerbates the problem.