[Medical importance of free living amoebas]

ABSTRACT

Free living amoebas are abiquitous in environmental sources. Some species of these organisms are causative agent of fetal diseases in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Member of four genera including Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, Naegleria fowleri and Sappinia diploidea causes infection of the central nervous system, lungs, sinuses, eyes and skin in human being. Due to progresses of human knowledge about these protozoa, it is possible that other free living amoeba may be found as potential agents of human and animals infections and death. Because of prevalence of Acanthamoeba keratitis in Iran, Familiarity with these species is important