Isolation of the etiological agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis from artificially heated waters

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5205306

Stevens, A R; Tyndall, R L; Coutant, C C; Willaert, E

To determine whether artificial heating of water by power plant discharges facilitates proliferation of the pathogenic free-living amoebae that cause primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, water samples (250 ml) were taken from discharges within 3,000 feet (ca. 914.4 m) of power plants and were processed for amoeba culture. Pathogenic Naegleria fowleri grew out of water samples from two of five lakes and rivers in Florida and from one of eight man-made lakes in Texas. Pathogenic N. fowleri did not grow from water samples taken from cooling towers and control lakes, the latter of which had no associated power plants. The identification of N. fowleri was confirmed by pathogenicity in mice and by indirect immunofluorescence analyses, by using a specific antiserum.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Florida, Gainesville
• OSTI ID: 5205306
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 34:6; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560202* -- Thermal Effects-- Microorganisms-- (1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AMOEBA
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
COOLING PONDS
DISEASES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ETIOLOGY
FLORIDA
INVERTEBRATES
MICROORGANISMS
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
NORTH AMERICA
PATHOLOGY
POLLUTION
PONDS
POWER PLANTS
PROTOZOA
SURFACE WATERS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TEXAS
THERMAL EFFLUENTS
USA
WATER POLLUTION
WATER RESERVOIRS