Acanthamoeba | 疾病管制署傳染病

Acanthamoebaisagenusofamoebaethatarecommonlyrecoveredfromsoil,freshwater,andotherhabitats.Acanthamoebahastwoevolutiveforms,the ...

Genus of protozoans

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 sometimes fatal infections in humans and other animals.[1]

Acanthamoeba spp. are among the most prevalent protozoa found in the environment.[1] 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.[2]