Mahmoodreza Behravan - Ph.D student of medical Parasitology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
Mahsa Moeinifar - Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

Background and Objective: Free living amoebae (FLA) are frequently distributed in environment, such as air, water, dust and soil. Some strains of Acanthamoeba spp are non-pathogen, while others are pathogenic in immunocompromised patients or even healthy persons. So, due to their medical importance, identification of free living amoeba in water resources, as a source of human infection, is necessary.The aim of this study was to isolate of Free living amoebae (FLA) from surface waters in Qaen county, Southern Khorasan province province, during 2015-2016 by morphological and culture method. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 50 samples were collected from different localities in Qaen county including surface waters, pools and fountains in parks and squares from November 2015 to April 2016.Each sample was filtered through a nitrocellulose membrane filters and cultured on non-nutrient agar (NNA) with Escherichia coli suspension and incubated for 1 week to 2 months at room temperature. The cultures media were microscopically examined for the presence of trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba spp. Findings: Out of 40 water samples, 13 (32.5%) were positive for Acanthamoeba spp trophozoites and cysts according to morphological criteria. Conclusion: According to prevalent of Acanthamoeba spp in surface stagnant waters in this crowded city to buy the saffron from all over the Iran and the world, more attention to the potential role of such waters in transmission of infection by the regional clinicians and health practitioners is necessary.

FLA, Water, Culture , Qaen