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The Presence of Yeasts and Bacteria in Free-Living Amoebae Isolated From Covid-19 Patients: Concern for Secondary Infections Publisher Pubmed



Z Mirabedini ZAHRA ; M Niyyati MARYAM ; H Mohammad Rahimi HANIEH ; S Soleimani Jevinani SARA ; M Fatemi MARZIYE ; M Tanhaei MOHAMMAD ; Sr Mohebbi Seyed REZA ; A Yadegar ABBAS ; S Abolghasemi SARA ; Z Arabmazar ZAHRA
Authors

Source: International Journal of Environmental Health Research Published:2025


Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2, yeasts, and bacteria in isolated free-living amoeba (FLA) from COVID-19 patients. Nasopharyngeal swabs (n = 60) were obtained from COVID-19 patients. After cultivation, morphological characterization, and RNA/DNA extraction, the presence of selected microorganisms was investigated. From 60 COVID-19 samples, 18 (30%) were positive for FLA. Acanthamoeba sp. Naegleria australiensis, Tetramitus sp. and Vermamoeba vermiformis were characterized in 12 (80%), 1 (6.66%), 2 (13.33%), and 7 (38.88%) of samples, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in FLA. Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis were detected in (11/18; 61.11%), (3/18; 16.67%), and (3/18; 16.67%) of samples, respectively. Geotrichum candidum was detected in 10/18 (55.55%) of samples. Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were identified in 16/18 (88.88%) and 3/18 (16.67%), respectively. The presence of yeasts and bacteria signifies the possible role of FLA in distribution of secondary infections in susceptible patients. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
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