A real-time PCR-based method targeting the 18S rRNA gene was developed for the quantitative detection of Hartmannella vermiformis, a free-living amoeba which is a potential host for Legionella pneumophila in warm water systems and cooling towers. The detection specificity was validated using genomic DNA of the closely related amoeba Hartmannella abertawensis as a negative control and sequence a...

Hartmannella culbertsoni, a free-living soil ameba, undergoes differentiation to be transformed into a double-walled cyst when exposed to a nonnutrient medium containing magnesium ions and taurine (Raizada and Krishna Murti, 1971) . The transformation of the trophic form to mature cysts is usually preceded by a stage during induction when the ameba assumes a round and well-defined shape after t...

The present work focuses on a local survey of free-living amoebae (FLA) that cause opportunistic and nonopportunistic infections in humans. Determining the prevalence of FLA in water sources can shine a light on the need to prevent FLA related illnesses. A total of 150 samples of tap water were collected from six districts of Sivas province. The samples were filtered and seeded on nonnutrient a...

A model was developed to study the multiplication of various Legionella spp. in tap water containing Hartmannella vermiformis. Tap water cultures prepared with the following components were suitable for the multiplication studies: Legionella spp., 10(3) CFU/ml; H. vermiformis, 10(4.4) cysts per ml; and killed Pseudomonas paucimobilis, 10(9) cells per ml. Cocultures were incubated at 37 degrees ...

An axenic culture of Hartmannella culbertsoni obtained from the American Type Culture Collection was used in this study. Amoebas maintained in a trypticase soy broth medium were concentrated, fixed and dehydrated before being transferred drop-wise to round microscope cover classes for critical point drying in liquid CO2. Dried specimens were coated with carbon and palladium-gold and studied wit...

INTRODUCTION In hospital and other health care facilities, contamination of water systems by potentially infectious microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa, is a source of nosocomial infections, which may originate fromcolonization of water pipes, cooling towers, spa pools, taps, showers and water supplies. Objective. The study focuses on the occurrence of Legionella spp., free-l...