This study aimed to identify the Acanthamoeba genotypes and their pathogenic potential in five recreational hot springs in Peninsular Malaysia. Fifty water samples were collected between April and September 2018. Physical parameters of water quality were measured in situ while chemical and microbiological analyses were performed in the laboratory. All samples were filtered through the nitrocellulose membrane and tested for Acanthamoeba using both cultivation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. The pathogenic potential of all positive isolates was identified using thermo- and osmotolerance tests. Thirty-eight (76.0%) samples were positive for Acanthamoeba. Water temperature (P = 0.035), chemical oxygen demand (P = 0.026), sulphate (P = 0.002) and Escherichia coli (P < 0.001) were found to be significantly correlated with the presence of Acanthamoeba. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 24 samples belonged to genotype T4, nine (T15), two (T3) and one from each genotype T5, T11 and T17. Thermo- and osmotolerance tests showed that 6 (15.79%) of the Acanthamoeba strains were highly pathogenic. The existence of Acanthamoeba in recreational hot springs should be considered as a health threat among the public especially for high-risk people. Periodic surveillance of hot spring waters and posting warning signs by health authorities is recommended to prevent disease related to pathogenic Acanthamoeba.

中文翻译：

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在马来西亚的休闲温泉中分离出的棘阿米巴的发生和分子特征：致病潜力的证据。

这项研究旨在确定马来西亚半岛五个休闲温泉中棘阿米巴的基因型及其致病潜力。在2018年4月至2018年9月之间收集了50个水样本。在实验室中进行了化学和微生物分析的同时，现场测量了水质的物理参数。所有样品均通过硝酸纤维素膜过滤，并通过培养和聚合酶链反应（PCR）将18S核糖体RNA基因作为靶点，测试棘孢菌的含量。使用耐热和渗透压测试鉴定了所有阳性分离株的致病潜力。38（76.0％）个样品的棘阿米巴虫呈阳性。水温（P = 0.035），化学需氧量（P = 0.026），硫酸盐（P = 0.002）和大肠杆菌（P <0。001）被发现与棘阿米巴的存在显着相关。系统发育分析表明，有24个样品属于基因型T4，分别为9个（T15），2个（T3）和1个，分别来自基因型T5，T11和T17。耐高温和耐渗透性试验表明，棘阿米巴菌株中有6株（15.79％）具有高致病性。休闲温泉中棘阿米巴的存在应被视为对公众的健康威胁，特别是对于高危人群。建议定期对温泉水进行监视并由卫生当局发布警告标志，以防止与致病性棘阿米巴相关的疾病。耐高温和耐渗透性试验表明，棘阿米巴菌株中有6株（15.79％）具有高致病性。休闲温泉中棘阿米巴的存在应被视为对公众的健康威胁，特别是对于高危人群。建议定期对温泉水进行监视并由卫生当局发布警告标志，以防止与致病性棘阿米巴相关的疾病。耐高温和耐渗透性试验表明，棘阿米巴菌株中有6株（15.79％）具有高致病性。休闲温泉中棘阿米巴的存在应被视为对公众的健康威胁，特别是对于高危人群。建议定期对温泉水进行监视并由卫生当局发布警告标志，以防止与致病性棘阿米巴相关的疾病。