Comparative evaluation of PCR-based methods for the detection of Acanthamoeba by a small-volume collection in aquatic environments: High Acanthamoeba prevalence with genotype identified using improved nested PCR

Acanthamoeba spp. are diverse, ubiquitous and widely distributed in natural and urban environments, some of them are also potential opportunistic human pathogens, causing granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and keratitis. Limitations in detection sensitivity have led to the underestimation of the occurrence of Acanthamoeba spp. In past which is problematic.