Studies on the biology and pathogenicity of free living amoebae in Sohag

Naegleria and Acanthamoeba are facultative parasites that cause mild to severe meningoencephalitis. In this study, samples were randomly collected from different water and soil sources in Sohag City and cultured on non-nutrient agar medium previously seeded with Escherichia coli. The morphological characters of the isolated amoebae were studied using different stains. The pathogenicity of the isolated amoebae was studied through inoculation into albino rats and rabbits. Rat inoculation with Naegleria trophozoites resulted in a severe histopathological effect on brain tissue, while Acanthamoeba failed to induce infection. Acanthamoeba keratitis could be established in the cornea of rabbits