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Volume 14
Issue 7
10.3390/pathogens14070637
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Article

High Diversity and Prevalence of Potentially Pathogenic Free-Living Amoebae in Water Sources from Castilla y León, Spain

by
Patricia Pérez-Pérez
1,2,3,
Iván Rodríguez-Escolar
3,4,5,
José E. Piñero
1,2,6,
Rodrigo Morchón
3,4,5 and
Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
1,2,6,*
1
Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
2
Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
3
Zoonotic Infections and One Health GIR, Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
4
Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
5
Centre for Environmental Studies and Rural Dynamization (CEADIR), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
6
Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Pathogens 2025, 14(7), 637; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14070637 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 6 May 2025 / Revised: 20 June 2025 / Accepted: 23 June 2025 / Published: 25 June 2025
Versions Notes

Abstract

Free-living amoebae (FLA) such as Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, Naegleria fowleri, Sappinia pedata, Vermamoeba vermiformis and Vahlkampfia spp. are causal agents of deadly and/or disabling infections in humans. Despite recent data showing an increase in infection cases worldwide, studies on the prevalence of these emerging pathogens in water sources are scarce. Moreover, climate change is believed to facilitate the expansion and persistence of these environmental pathogens, further emphasizing the need for comprehensive surveillance. Therefore, the current study investigates the variety and abundance of free-living amoebae in different water sources in the autonomous community of Castilla y León, Spain, during different seasons of the year. Vermamoeba vermiformis was the most prevalent species and was detected in rivers, swamps, irrigation waters, swimming pools and recreational fountains. Moreover, genera such as Acanthamoeba and Naegleria and Vahlkampfia were also identified. This study highlights the diversity of FLA in the region and their relationship with local water characteristics. Given that certain FLA species are opportunistic pathogens, these results emphasize the necessity of monitoring this area and water sources.
Keywords: Castilla y León; Spain; water; Acanthamoeba spp.; Vermamoeba vermiformis; monitoring Castilla y León; Spain; water; Acanthamoeba spp.; Vermamoeba vermiformis; monitoring

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MDPI and ACS Style

Pérez-Pérez, P.; Rodríguez-Escolar, I.; Piñero, J.E.; Morchón, R.; Lorenzo-Morales, J. High Diversity and Prevalence of Potentially Pathogenic Free-Living Amoebae in Water Sources from Castilla y León, Spain. Pathogens 2025, 14, 637. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14070637

AMA Style

Pérez-Pérez P, Rodríguez-Escolar I, Piñero JE, Morchón R, Lorenzo-Morales J. High Diversity and Prevalence of Potentially Pathogenic Free-Living Amoebae in Water Sources from Castilla y León, Spain. Pathogens. 2025; 14(7):637. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14070637

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pérez-Pérez, Patricia, Iván Rodríguez-Escolar, José E. Piñero, Rodrigo Morchón, and Jacob Lorenzo-Morales. 2025. "High Diversity and Prevalence of Potentially Pathogenic Free-Living Amoebae in Water Sources from Castilla y León, Spain" Pathogens 14, no. 7: 637. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14070637

APA Style

Pérez-Pérez, P., Rodríguez-Escolar, I., Piñero, J. E., Morchón, R., & Lorenzo-Morales, J. (2025). High Diversity and Prevalence of Potentially Pathogenic Free-Living Amoebae in Water Sources from Castilla y León, Spain. Pathogens, 14(7), 637. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14070637

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