Isolation of Balamuthia mandrillaris (Free Living Amoeba) from Shatt Al-Arab River in Basrah, South of Iraq

Author(s): Moker H. M., Muslim A. M.

Balamuthia mandrillaris is a free living, opportunistic amoeba was first discovered in 1986 in a mandrill baboon at the Wild Animal Park in California suffered from a neurological disease, later it was associated with many human CNS fatal infection and skin infection all over the world, and it considered to be ubiquitous. We investigate the presence of B. mandrillaris in Shatt Al-Arab, the main river in Basrah south of Iraq, the amoeba was identified morphologically and genetically by PCR. Trophozoite and cyst were observed in culture, the trophozoite with finger like pseudopodia that subdivided into small arms. Rounded cyst of about 13-30 µm surrounded by outer thin wrinkled layer gave the shape of a rose flower. Our finding was the first in Iraq, Balamuthia mandrillaris represent a health hazard in such main river in Basrah.

Balamuthia mandrillaris, Opportunistic Amoeba, Shatt Al-Arab River, Basrah, Iraq

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