Grantee Research Project Results
2021 Progress Report: Advancing Next Generation Genomic Tools for Detection of Naegleria fowleri in Potable Water
EPA Grant Number: SU840164Title: Advancing Next Generation Genomic Tools for Detection of Naegleria fowleri in Potable Water
Investigators: Sherchan, Samendra , Shahin, Shalina , Patel, Jeenal , Phan, Nati , TatahMentan, Mom
Institution: Tulane University
EPA Project Officer: Spatz, Kyle
Phase: I
Project Period: December 1, 2020 through November 30, 2021 (Extended to November 30, 2022)
Project Period Covered by this Report: December 1, 2020 through November 30,2021
Project Amount: $24,998
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Objective:
The specific objectives are to determine the occurrence and genotype diversity of Naegleria fowleri (Nf) in Louisiana public water systems and biofilms using droplet digital PCR and multi-locus genotyping.
Progress Summary:
The free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri inhabits soil and natural waters worldwide: it is thermophilic and thrives at temperatures up to 45°C and in a multitude of environments. Three deaths occurred in Louisiana due to primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by Naegleria fowleri infection in 2011 and 2013. The presence of Naegleria fowleri was detected in 28 samples (30.1%) out of 93. Five positive samples were collected from St. Bernard Parish, including 4 distribution system samples and 1 raw water sample. Of all positive samples, 11 raw source water samples tested positive for the presence of Naegleria fowleri. Moreover, as changes in the global climate result in warmer surface temperatures, infections by Naelgeria fowleri are expected to increase. This amoeba has a three-stage life cycle. Naegleria fowleri exists in soil in a cystic form and excysts to a flagellate stage when in contact with warm water and a source of food (bacteria). More future studies are required to investigate the interaction of this emerging pathogen with waterborne pathogens such as Legionella in engineered water systems.
Future Activities:
Remaining samples will be analyzed and scientific manuscripts will be prepared by November 2022.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 1 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
brain eating amoeba, protozoan parasite, water quality, next-generation genomic tools, public health, detection methods, drinking water, water treatment, disinfection, pathogen detection and removal, Gulf CoastProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.