Grantee Research Project Results
Final 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 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 N. fowleri in Louisiana public water systems using molecular tools.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
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 N. fowleri infection. 29% (27/93) of samples collected showed positive for N. fowleri and 10 raw water source and 17 distribution system waters were tested positive.
Conclusions:
Deaths from PAM contracted through drinking water distribution systems have occurred in many countries and Australia, the United States, and Pakistan have all isolated N. fowleri from these systems. Generally, drinking water sources are treated with chlorine, and in the case of Australia, the target concentration was 0.5 mg/L, constantly maintained, throughout the entire system. However, a study found that N. fowleri can survive short durations of higher concentrations of chlorine, even up to 20 mg/L. The results show that 7 out of 27 water systems tested in Louisiana were found to contain N. fowleri mostly at locations with low (0.5 mg/L) to no chlorine. N. fowleri is thermophilic, and able to proliferate in temperatures up to 45°C. Warmer surface water temperatures due to global climate change will provide new environmental niches and higher risks of N. fowleri exposure. The annual number of N. fowleri cases associated with recreational and tap water exposure is increasing globally. However, water utilities only test for indicator organisms and are currently not required to test for the presence of N. fowleri due to limitations related to federal regulations, cost, time, and labor. Further research should be focused on finding a suitable indicator for N. fowleri.
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 removalProgress 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.