First report of free-living amoebae in watercourses in southern Brazil: molecular diagnosis and phylogenetic analysis of <i>Vermamoeba vermiformis</i>, <i>Naegleria gruberi,</i> and <i>Acanthamoeba</i> spp.

Abstract Free-living amoebae (FLA) are protozoa dispersed in different environments and responsible for infections caused to humans other animals. Microorganisms such as Acanthamoeba spp., Vermamoeba sp., Naegleria sp. associated with diseases that affect the central nervous system, addition skin keratitis, occurs genus vermiformis. Due concerns of these FLA anthropogenic aquatic environments, this work aimed identify microorganisms present waters Porto Alegre, Brazil. One litre sample was collected two watercourses during summer 2022 inoculated onto non-nutrient agar plates containing heat-inactivated Escherichia coli. Polymerase chain reaction results indicated presence genera Acanthamoeba, Vermamoeba, study areas. Genetic sequencing V. vermiformis gruberi. These can serve a means spread contamination by FLA, which gives valuable information public health city.