Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 17 2 2022 05 28 167 173 Masoomeh Jalilehvand Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Elham Hajialilo Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran AND Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Yasaman Ghiasi Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Saba Rostamian Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Fatemeh Taherkhani Department of Biotechnology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Fatemeh Kazemi Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Sima Hashemipour Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Milad Badri 1. Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran 2. Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Behzad Bijani Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Amir Javadi Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Mehrzad Saraei Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran AND Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Sepideh Hajian Department of Nephrology, Velayat Hospital, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Peyman Heydarian Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran AND Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Ali Sarbazi Golezari Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran 2021 09 08 2021 12 25 Background: Free-living amoebae (FLA) such as Acanthamoeba spp., are considered as opportunistic and pathogenic protozoans.  Acanthamoeba granulomatous encephalitis (AGE) is a serious threat for immunodeficient patients and Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) for contact lens users. We aimed to identify the presence of free living amoebae in nasal swabs of patients and contact lens users in Qazvin, Iran. Methods: During 2019, 251 nasal and oral swabs (including the pharynx and mouth) were collected from patients with diabetes, AIDS and those under periodic dialysis in Qazvin, Iran. In addition, 27 soft contact lenses were collected from the participants. Following DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing were conducted to identify the genotypes of the amoeba. Phylogenetic analysis of the identified sequences was performed using MEGA 7 software. Results: A strain of Acanthamoeba belonging to the T3 genotype was isolated from hemodialysis patients. Two specimens of Acanthamoeba with T3 genotype were isolated from keratitis patients. Conclusion: The clinicians should pay attention to the possible complication of this organism because this amoeba is potentially pathogenic for immunocompromised patients. Since the amoeba is present in environmental resources, the use of contact lenses should be accompanied by considering proper hygiene. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/3449 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/3449/1209