Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar differentiation in faeces samples by E. histolyticaadhesin detection through ELlSA

Abstract

lnfections caused by the Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar species complex have a worldwide distribution. E. histolytica is the only pathogenic species. but the differentiation with E. dispar can only be done by biochemical methods. The aim of this work was to detect the E. histolytica specific adhesin molecule to differentiate this parasite from E. dispar in faeces samples, as well as to determine the prevalence of infection by the E. histolytica/E. disparcomplex in a rural population from Cundinamarca, Colombia. One hundred and foity fecal samples were collected at the health center of La Virgen, Quipile, Cundinamarca. They were examined by formalin-ether concentration method to determine the prevalence of E. histolytica/E. dispar Twenty three positive samples (1 6.42%) were submitted to an ELlSA test for detection of E. histolytca specific adhesin, out of which only 2 (8.69%) were found to be positive for E. histolytica. Serum samples from 19 patients infected with E. histolytica/E. disparwere submitted to an ELlSA test for antibodies against E. histolytica; all of them were negative. If the prevalence of specific adhesin test had been applied to al1 the people included in the study, the estimated prevalence of E. histolytica infection would be 1.42% (2/140).The advantage of the ELlSA test for specific detection of the E. histolytica adhesion molecule is its easiness, which allows a rapid diagnosis in order to provide adequate treatment. This methodology could be recommended for nationwide epidemiological studies to determine the prevalence of E. histolytica infection.