The prevalence of free-living amoebae in a South African hospital water distribution system

The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of free-living amoebae in the water system of a teaching hospital in Johannesburg (South Africa). Water and biofilm samples were collected from the theatres, theatre sterilisation service unit, central sterilisation service unit and endosco...

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Veröffentlicht in:	South African Journal of Science 2015-01, Vol.111 (1/2), p.1-3
Hauptverfasser:	Muchesa, Petros, Barnard, Tobias G, Bartie, Catheleen
Format:	Artikel
Sprache:	eng
Schlagworte:	Acanthamoeba Algae Amoeba Bacteria Balamuthia Biofilms Biology Cysts Distribution Drinking water E coli Endoscopy Escherichia coli free-living amoebae Hartmanella Health aspects Health risks Hospitals Humanities, Multidisciplinary Morphology Nosocomial infections Prevalence studies (Epidemiology) South Africa Statistics Studies Water Water distribution Water distribution systems Water pollution
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Zusammenfassung:	The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of free-living amoebae in the water system of a teaching hospital in Johannesburg (South Africa). Water and biofilm samples were collected from the theatres, theatre sterilisation service unit, central sterilisation service unit and endoscopy/bronchoscopy unit. The samples were filtered and seeded on non-nutrient agar spread with heat-killed Escherichia coli. Of the 71 samples collected, 63 (88.7%) were positive for free-living amoeba. Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia spp. and Hartmanella spp. were identified by morphology. The presence of free-living amoeba in the hospital water network may be a potential health risk.
ISSN:	1996-7489 0038-2353 1996-7489
DOI:	10.17159/sajs.2015/20140278