Analysis of Nevada Surface Waters for Pathogenic Amoebae as Indicators of Thermal Pollution

摘要

Two major rivers in northwestern Nevada, the Truckee and Carson, were examined for the occurrence of the potentially pathogenic, free-living amoebae, Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba culbertsoni and A. rhysodes, for a period of one year. Water quality was also monitored. A. rhysodes and a strain believed to be intermediate to N. gruberi and N. fowleri were isolated and identified. Presence of the recovered N. fowleri strain and A. rhysodes was compared to water temperature in an attempt to determine whether the presence of either of these species might be utilized as an indication of thermal pollution.