Research BriefIs Acanthamoeba pathogenicity associated with intracellular bacteria?

In addition to the possible role of Acanthamoeba as an evolutionary precursor of pathogenicity in microbial pathogens, it has been suggested that intracellular bacteria or other microbial endosymbionts may also enhance the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba. Using transmission electron microscopy, polymerase chain reaction and simple culturing, our findings did not reveal any apparent evidence of microbial presence intracellularly of a recently recovered clinical isolate of Acanthamoeba. Based on these findings, it is tempting to speculate that the virulence of Acanthamoeba may not be attributed to the pathogenicity of the endosymbiont alone.

Graphical abstractIn addition to the possible role of Acanthamoeba as an evolutionary precursor of pathogenicity in microbial pathogens, it has been suggested that intracellular bacteria or other microbial endosymbionts may also enhance the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba. Using transmission electron microscopy, polymerase chain reaction and simple culturing, our findings did not reveal any apparent evidence of microbial presence intracellular of a recently recovered clinical isolate of Acanthamoeba. Based on these findings, it is tempting to speculate that the virulence of Acanthamoeba may not be attributed to the pathogenicity of endosymbiont alone.Download full-size imageHighlights► It has been suggested that intracellular bacteria may also enhance the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba. ► PCR, TEM and culturing did not reveal any evidence of bacteria intracellular of a recently recovered clinical isolate. ► The virulence of Acanthamoeba may not be attributed to the pathogenicity of endosymbiont alone. ► Use of Acanthamoeba as a model organism to study mechanisms of cellular differentiation (e.g., stem cells) is indicated.