Isolation of a pathogenic Naegleria fowleri and non-cyst forming free-living amoebae Vanella mira and Flabellula calkinsi from domestic water supply U.P., India

Amoebae are the ubiquitous protozoans widely distributed in every type of habitat such as water, soil, sewage etc. Although these amoebae are primarily free-living but as opportunist some of them are pathogenic causing fatal diseases affecting central nervous system and eyes of human beings and domestic animals. Small free-living amoebae remain in cystic stage during unfavorable conditions; but on the availability of food, suitable temperature, favourable environment and pH they excyst and the trophozoite emerges out from the cysts. Contrary to this, there are some amoebae, which have only trophic stage in their life cycle and never form cysts. A study was undertaken to find out the occurrence of amphizoic amoebae from domestic water supply of two localities of Lucknow. Non-cysts forming amoebae Vannella mira and Flabellula calkinsi were isolated along with pathogenic Naeglena fowleri.