Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences Jundishapur Journal of Health Sciences 2345-4075 18 2 2026 07 01 Molecular and Morphological Identification of Acanthamoeba in Hospital Dust from Ahvaz, Iran 248137 10.22118/jjhs.2026.575216.1037 EN Forough Kord-zanganeh Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Mahmoud Rahdar Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Mohammad Javad Boozhmehrani Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Mehdi Tavalla Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Journal Article 2026 02 11 <strong>Introduction</strong>: <em><span>Acanthamoeba</span></em><span>, a free-living amoeba found in various environments, is an opportunistic pathogen, especially affecting immunocompromised patients with conditions like granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and <em>Acanthamoeba</em> keratitis. Despite the global significance of this pathogen, data on its prevalence in hospital dust in Iran is limited.</span> <strong>Methods</strong>: <span>This study assessed <em>Acanthamoeba</em> in hospital dust from three major hospitals affiliated with Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A total of 96 dust samples were collected from various wards. Morphological analysis using non-nutrient agar culture identified cyst-like forms, followed by PCR to confirm and quantify <em>Acanthamoeba</em> presence.</span> <strong>Results:</strong> <span>Six samples showed <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Acanthamoeba</em>-like cysts, with PCR confirming DNA in 16 samples (16.6%), indicating notable prevalence in hospital dust. Positive samples were mainly from corridors (68.75%), general care rooms (25%), and ICUs (6.25%), with no detection in surgical wards. A significant association was observed between location and <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Acanthamoeba</em> presence (p < 0.001).</span> <strong>Conclusion: </strong><span>These findings highlight the importance of monitoring <em>Acanthamoeba</em> in hospitals, given its capacity to cause severe infections in vulnerable patients. Enhanced sanitation and environmental monitoring may help minimize exposure and reduce infection risk.</span> https://jjhs.ajums.ac.ir/article_248137_094b9e3729f97aafbc4b6ef07882d0ef.pdf