Genetic diversity of Acanthamoeba isolated from ocean sediments.
10.3347/kjp.2006.44.2.117
- Author:
Hua LIU
1
;
Young Ran HA
;
Sung Tae LEE
;
Yean Chul HONG
;
Hyun Hee KONG
;
Dong Il CHUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Parasitology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu 700-422, Korea. dichung@knu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Acanthamoeba;
diversity;
18S rDNA;
genotype;
ocean sediment;
kerato-pathogenicity
- MeSH:
Variation (Genetics)/*genetics;
RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics;
Phylogeny;
Oceans and Seas;
Humans;
Geologic Sediments/*parasitology;
Epithelium, Corneal/cytology;
Epithelial Cells/parasitology;
DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics;
Animals;
Acanthamoeba/*genetics/*isolation & purification
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2006;44(2):117-125
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Genetic diversity of 18 Acanthamoeba isolates from ocean sediments was evaluated by comparing mitochondrial (mt) DNA RFLP, 18S rDNA sequences and by examining their cytopathic effects on human corneal epithelial cells versus reference strains. All isolates belonged to morphologic group II. Total of 16 restriction phenotypes of mtDNA from 18 isolates demonstrated the genetic diversity of Acanthamoeba in ocean sediments. Phylogenetic analysis using 18s rDNA sequences revealed that the 18 isolates were distinct from morphological groups I and III. Fifteen isolates showed close relatedness with 17 clinical isolates and A. castellanii Castellani and formed a lineage equivalent to T4 genotype of Byers' group. Two reference strains from ocean sediment, A. hatchetti BH-2 and A. griffini S-7 clustered unequivocally with these 15 isolates. Diversity among isolates was also evident from their cytopathic effects on human corneal cells. This is the first time describing Acanthamoeba diversity in ocean sediments in Korea.
