Acanthamoeba
Sign in to saveAcanthamoeba is a genus of amoebae that are commonly recovered from soil, fresh water, and other habitats. The genus Acanthamoeba has two stages in its life cycle, the metabolically active trophozoite stage and a dormant, stress-resistant cyst stage. In nature, Acanthamoeba species are generally free-living bacterivores. However, they are also opportunistic pathogens able to cause serious and potentially fatal infections in humans and other animals.
Taxonomy · GBIF
GENUS
- KingdomProtozoa
- PhylumAmoebozoa
- ClassLobosa
- OrderAmoebida
- FamilyAcanthamoebidae
via GBIF · CC0
Article
15 sectionsContents
- Distribution
- Role in disease
- Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE)
- Acanthamoebic keratitis
- As a bacterial reservoir
- Ecology
- Physiology
- Role as a model organism
- Endosymbionts
- Giant viruses
- Diversity
- Etymology
- See also
- References
- External links
Acanthamoeba is a genus of amoebae that are commonly recovered from soil, fresh water, and other habitats. The genus Acanthamoeba has two stages in its life cycle, the metabolically active trophozoite stage and a dormant, stress-resistant cyst stage. In nature, Acanthamoeba species are generally free-living bacterivores. However, they are also opportunistic pathogens able to cause serious and potentially fatal infections in humans and other animals.
== Distribution == Acanthamoeba spp. are among the most prevalent protozoa found in the environment. They are distributed worldwide, and have been isolated from soil, air, sewage, seawater, chlorinated swimming pools, domestic tap water, bottled water, dental treatment units, hospitals, air-conditioning units, and contact lens cases. Additionally, they have been isolated from human skin, nasal cavities, throats, and intestines, as well as plants and other mammals.