Assessment of the Presence of Free-Living Amoebae in Soil Samples from the Northwest Region of Spain Using Culture and Molecular Assays
2025
Patricia Pérez-Pérez | Iván Rodríguez-Escolar | Elizabeth Córdoba-Lanús | Angélica Domínguez-de-Barros | Omar García-Pérez | José E. Piñero | Rodrigo Morchón | Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
Free-living amoebae (FLA) such as Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, Naegleria fowleri, Sappinia spp., Vahlkampfia spp., and Vermamoeba vermiformis are naturally widespread in the environment, causing rare but fatal and debilitating infections in humans. In the present study, a total of 87 soil samples were collected from four provinces in the autonomous community of Castilla y Leó:n, Spain. These samples were collected in three different seasons during 2022&ndash:2023 (t1&ndash:t3) and were analysed by culture and molecular techniques (conventional PCR/sanger sequencing and qPCR). The obtained data revealed that the genus Acanthamoeba and the species Vermamoeba vermiformis were the most prevalent FLA. Furthermore, other genera/species of FLA were identified in the tested soil sources, suggesting a rich microbial biodiversity in Castilla y Leó:n soils. In addition, this study provides an important basis for future research on the ecology of these organisms and their potential impact on public health and the environment.
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