Isolation and identification of Acanthamoeba from Taiwan spring recreation areas using culture enrichment combined with PCR

In the study, 52 spring water samples were collected from three hot spring recreation areas in northern Taiwan and Acanthamoebae were isolated from 11 samples (21.2%) on two hot spring recreation areas and mainly present in the hot spring water, hot tubs and wastewater. The most frequently identified Acanthamoeba genotype was T15, followed by T6, and then T5. Genotype T1, T2, T3 and T4 were detected once, respectively. The presence or absence of Acanthamoeba within the spring water samples showed significant difference with the levels of heterotrophic plate counts (HPC). Genotype T2–T6 and genotype T15, the organism responsible for Acanthamoeba keratitis, and the Acanthamoeba species organism, retained pathogenic Legionella, and should be considered a potential health threat associated with human activities in spring recreation areas.