First report of free living pathogenic and non pathogenic amoebae in an aquatic vegetable, Trapa bispinosa (Singhada)

This is the first report describing the occurrence of free living pathogenic and non pathogenic amoebae in an aquaticvegetable. Trapa bispinosa (Singhada) generally cultivated in ponds, marshes and mostly consumed raw by human beings. A total of 8 strains of amoebae were isolated and identified as Acanthamoeba culbertsoni, N. gruberi, N. fowleri, A. rhysodes, Thecamoeba and Amoeba proteus. Thebiological characterizations of amoebic isolates were carried out. Of these 5 amoebic isolates, N. fowleri has been found to be pathogenic in experimental albino mice. Occurrence of amphizoic amoebae in the edible parts of Trapa bispinosa has been a matter of concern for the rural dwellers, who are employed as farmers and vendors of this commercially significant crops of India. They may pose a threat to the consumers as well. Thus hands should be properly washedafter collecting the crops and it should be properly washed and boiled before consumption.