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Submitted
December 4, 2008
Published
June 16, 2009
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Abstract

Small  free-living amoebae are also  called  as amphizoic amoebae,  because of their capability to exist both  as free-living  as well  as opportunistically  pathogenic.  Some  of the  species of Naegleria and Acanthamoeba are known to cause fatal  disease (Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis=  PAM  and Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis= GAE) of central nervous system affecting  brain  and amoebic keratitis  affecting  eyes.  The purpose of our study  was to find out whether small  free-living amoebae were also found in  natural resource of water such as river and pond from Lucknow region. A total 68 samples  of water  were collected  from six different  sites  of Gomti  River  and four different  ponds from Lucknow city.  A total  38 samples  were found to be positive  for small  free-living amoebae.  The most  common   amoebae   present   were  species   of Naegleria,  Schizopyrenus,  Acanthamoeba, Hartmennella  and  Vannella.  Out of total  47  water  samples  from  Gomti  River,  27  samples  were positive  for amoebae and out of 21  samples  of ponds  examined  11   were found  to be positive. The occurrence of these  amoebae in natural  water sources such as river and pond in Lucknow region poses  a threat  to human  being  for meddling  with  water without taking  adequate  care.  Since  the pathogenic  strains of amoebae are known to  infect human being via nasal  route during  swimming and/or  via.  cut  in  the  skin/  body via  haematogenous  route.  Exposure  of eyes with  contaminated water may cause amoebic keratitis in  human being. A great awareness among masses is  essential  to educate about these new amoebic disease.  their possible  preventive measures and occurrence of these pathogenic  amoebae  from  natural  water resources.

Keywords

Free-living Amphizoic Naegleria Acanthamoeba PAM GAE

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How to Cite
Ahmad, T., Paul, N., & Sharma, A. K. (2009). Occurrence of small free-living amoebae from natural water resources. Environment Conservation Journal, 10(1&2), 21–26. https://doi.org/10.36953/ECJ.2009.101204
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