ACANTHAMOEBA

Acanthamoeba, a free-living Amoeba commonly found in water, a category of protozoans which are pervasive and can be found in diverse environments, including, sewage water, air, soil, dust, and sediments. One of the vital issues in water pollution is the occurrence of pathogenic amoebae in tap or drinking water. The aim of the study was to compare the detection of canthamoeba from borehole water source and tap water in Egor Local Government within Benin metropolis using two methods. This observational, prospective cross-sectional study collected 52 water samples from various locations within the Egor Local Government Area (26 samples each from bore-hole water source and tap water). Samples were processed on the same day of collection. For Acanthamoeba detection, 500 mL of water sample was passed through a 0.45 μm cellulose nitrate membrane filter. Prepared nonnutrient agar plates were seeded with heat-killed Escherichia coli. Cultures were incubated at 30℃ for amoebic growth and examined microsopically. The study also employed centrifugation, and sediments were microscopically viewed under iodine-stained slides. Results showed a significant difference in the occurrence of Acanthamoeba species (p = 0.007) in bore-hole water and tap water when using the culturing method. However, there was no significant difference (p = 0.277) between samples of bore-hole water and tap water obtained through centrifugation. This suggests that an isolation method can influence the detection of Acanthamoeba species. This research highlights the substantial prevalence of Acanthamoeba species in bore-hole water sources within Benin City, with potential implications for water quality and safety. The discrepancy in results between culture and centrifugation methods underscores the need for careful consideration when choosing a detection method. The high prevalence of Acanthamoeba in bore-hole water may have a link to the nature of the water facility. Further studies are necessary to investigate the reasons behind the methodological differences and their implications for water quality and safety in Benin City.