Prevalence and Molecular Differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba moshkovskii, and Entamoeba hartmanni in Egypt

Abstract

Introduction Entamoeba histolytica-caused amoebiasis is a major cause of mortality worldwide. E. histolytica is morphologically indistinguishable from nonpathogenic species like E. dispar, E. moshkovskii, and E. hartmanni. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the approved method by World Health Organization for diagnosis and differentiation of amoebiasis. This study aims to molecularly differentiate the four Entamoeba spp. using conventional PCR and correlate their prevalence with the patients' sociodemographic data. Methods We collected fecal samples of 175 patients with gastrointestinal diseases at Damanhour General Hospital (El-Behira, Egypt). All microscopically positive samples were subjected to conventional PCR. ResultsThe overall prevalence of Entamoeba infection was 65.7% (115/175). The differentiation by PCR was successfully attained in 102 samples. The species distribution was as follows: E. histolytica (14.7%), E. dispar (61.8%), E. moshkovskii (11.8%); besides, 11.8% of samples revealed mixed infection. Of note, the infection rate was higher in men, patients from rural areas and patients who did not have sanitation facilities for sewage disposal. Conclusion This study demonstrates a high prevalence of infections caused by the nonpathogenic Entamoeba spp. E. dispar, E. moshkovskii, and E. hartmanni along with the pathogenic E. histolytica. Hence, we recommend PCR assay as an accurate, rapid, and effective diagnostic method for the detection and differentiation of the four morphologically indistinguishable Entamoeba spp. in both routine diagnosis of amoebiasis and epidemiological surveys.

molecular identification of entamoeba Dispar and entamoeba Moshkovskii by using nested multiplex PCR in symptomatic indivisuals

“…The used nested multiplex PCR ( second round) that increase from sensitivity and specificity of PCR for detected Entamoeba dispar & Entamoeba moshkovskii(mix infection with Entamoeba histolytica). Our findings aligns with that study scored in Australia ,50% of positive stool specimens microscopically was positive result for (nonpathogenic) Entamoeba moshkovskii by PCR assay test Fotedar et al, (2008 ) .In contrast , Santos et al, (2016) recorded a higher proportion was in( diversified infection) E. dispar & E. histolytica & E.moshkovskii) 6.4% (64/1003) compared E.histolytica only infection 3% (30/1003).Similarly, In our study , agreement with many of researchers that recorded mix infection of E. histolytica &E.dispar such Abozahra et al, ( 2020) in Egypt and Al-Bakri et al, (2021) in UEA those recorded mix infection of E histolytica &E. dispar 5.9% ,3.3% respectively. while recorded mix infection of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar in older collection (1-3)years,(11-20)years, were 2(15.38%),1 (10%) respectively .And recorded mix infection of E. moshkovskii , E.histolytica in age collection (1-3)years,(4-10)years, were 1(7.69%),1(10%) respectively, our finding of results that (mix infection) of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba moshkovskii reported their infection merely in children with age (1-10)years and they have symptomatic diarrheal infection this agreed with Dawah, et al, (2016)showed all patients infected by Entamoeba moshkovskii was children with symptomatic.…”

Molecular prevalence of Entamoeba species in a cohort of Egyptians

“…In the present study, the overall detected coproscopic prevalence of Entamoeba species was 30 (22.6%) which were confirmed by multiplex PCR and showed that 19 (63.3%), 7 (23.4%) and 4 (13.3%) of the subjects were infected with E. dispar, E. histolytica, and E.moshkovaskii respectively. The predominant prevalence of E. dispar in the present study is close to most previous studies carried out in Egypt (El-Badry et al, 2019;Abozahra et al, 2020), as well as other countries (Fallah et al, 2014;Zaki and Clark, 2001). Contradictory, a study conducted in United Arab Emirates where E. histolytica was more prevalent (ElBakri et al, 2013).…”

Prevalence of Giardiasis and Entamoeba Species in Two of the Six Governorates of Kuwait

“…Although recent studies have implicated the role of E. dispar and E. moshkovskii as potential pathogens to humans, yet a more precise diagnosis approach is essential in identifying the Entamoeba sp. under investigation to prevent unnecessary treatment [22][23][24]. According to the WHO guidelines, polymer chain reaction (PCR) is the approved method for identifying and differentiating the Entamoeba sp.…”

“…According to the WHO guidelines, polymer chain reaction (PCR) is the approved method for identifying and differentiating the Entamoeba sp. [24]. Similar to giardiasis, almost 90% of amoebiasis infections are asymptomatic, while if symptomatic, infection may manifest in a range of symptoms from mild diarrhea to abdominal cramps, bloody, watery diarrhea, dysentery, and abscess formation [21,22].…”