STARCH-GEL ELECTROPHORESIS - EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR SEPARATION OF PATHOGENIC AND NON-PATHOGENIC NAEGLERIA STRAINS

SYNOPSIS. Isoenzyme electrophoresis of 7 different enzyme systems was used to compare 24 strains of Naegleria fowleri and 6 strains of N. gruberi. The 30 strains could be grouped into 4 distinct categories based upon zymogram patterns. No interstrain band variation in all enzyme systems was demonstrated in pathogenic strains of N. fowleri. Three nonpathogenic high temperature‐tolerant strains of Naegleria had similar zymograms. Four of the 5 remaining nonpathogenic Naegleria strains had no interstrain band variation. Based upon zymograms, the 22 pathogenic strains constitute a homogenous species. Similarly the high temperature‐tolerant nonpathogenic strains formed a cohesive group. The remaining nonpathogenic strains could be separated into 2 groups. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved