[01] Wafaa M. Hikal, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; Parasitology Lab, Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. [02] Ahmad Z. Al-Herrawy, Parasitology Lab, Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. [03] Mahmoud M. Bahgat, Therapeutic Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. [04] Abd-Elhafez H. Mohammed, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. [05] Ameen A. Ashour, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Free-living amoebae of the genus Naegleria have been recognized as etiologic agents of amoebic encephalitis, keratitis, otitis, lung lesions and other skin infections mainly in immuno-compromised individuals. Naegleria fowleri is the causative agent of primary amoebic meningo-encephalitis (PAM), a rapidly fatal disease of the central nervous system. The disease is generally acquired while swimming and diving in freshwater. In the present study samples from swimming pools water in Egypt were examined for Naegleria using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Members of genus Naegleria were detected in 27.5% of the examined swimming pool water samples. Based on the morphological attributes of trophozoites and cysts, flagellation test, all the isolates were classified to the genus Naegleria. Molecular identification of the amoebae isolated from water samples confirmed their affinity to Naegleria genus. The isolated species of Naegleria could provoke variable degrees of infections to the swimmers. Thus there is a need for further investigation to establish Naegleria genotype.

Free-Living Amoebae, Naegleria, Flagellation Test, PCR, Swimming Pools

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