Assessment of Pathogenic Free-Living Amoebae in a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Beheira Governorate, Egypt

Abdelaziz, Yasmen Abd El-rahman; Amer, Nahed Salah; Al-Herrawy, Ahmad Zakaria; Mohammed, Ahmed AbdelAziz; Salahuldeen, Amgad

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2025.429926.6724

Assessment of Pathogenic Free-Living Amoebae in a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Beheira Governorate, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Agriculture,Zoology and Nematology faculty of Agriculture(Girls branch),Al-Azhar Univarsity,Cairo,Egypt

² Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

³ Zoology departement, Faculty of Science, Al-azhar Univ.

⁴ zoology department, Faculty of Science, Al-azhar Univ.

10.21608/ejabf.2025.429926.6724

Abstract

Among the genera of free-living amoebae (FLAs) existing in nature, some Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, Naegleria fowleri, and Sappinia diploidea have an association with human disease. Among these, Acanthamoeba spp. and Balamuthia mandrillaris are recognized as opportunistic pathogens that may lead to severe infections affecting the CNS, lungs, sinuses, and skin, primarily in immunocompromised individuals. However, their occurrence in sewage-related environments still needs to be systematically documented. The present study aimed to isolate and morphologically identify different FLA species from the Kom El Tarfaya Wastewater Treatment Plant in Beheira Governorate, Egypt. Wastewater samples were collected from this plant between January and December 2024. Samples were processed for the detection of free-living amoebae using non-nutrient agar (NNA). Based on the morphological criteria, FLA isolates were identified to the genus level. By morphological identification, FLA species of three genera: Naegleria, Vahlkampfia, and Vermamoeba were encountered. Members of the Naegleria were recorded in inlet wastewater samples (16.7%), while genus Vahlkampfia spp. had the same occurrence of 4.2% in both inlet and outlet wastewater samples. Genus Vermamoeba spp. had the same occurrence of 8.33% in both wastewater samples. Overall, the findings indicate a high risk associated with sewage-related environments, as the prevalence of FLAs, including pathogenic strains, is even found in treated sewage water. These results may be valuable for both risk remediation actions against amoebic infections and future research endeavors.

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