Rapid Diagnosis of Intestinal Parasitic Protozoa, with a Focus onEntamoeba histolytica

Abstract

Entamoeba histolytica is an invasive intestinal pathogenic parasitic protozoan that causes amebiasis. It must be distinguished from Entamoeba dispar and E. moshkovskii, nonpathogenic commensal parasites of the human gut lumen that are morphologically identical to E. histolytica. Detection of specific E. histolytica antigens in stools is a fast, sensitive technique that should be considered as the method of choice. Stool real-time PCR is a highly sensitive and specific technique but its high cost make it unsuitable for use in endemic areas where there are economic constraints. Serology is an important component of the diagnosis of intestinal and especially extraintestinal amebiasis as it is a sensitive test that complements the detection of the parasite antigens or DNA. Circulating Gal/GalNac lectin antigens can be detected in the serum of patients with untreated amoebic liver abscess. On the horizon are multiplex real-time PCR assays which permit the identification of multiple enteropathogens with high sensitivity and specificity.

Prevalencia de microsporidios intestinales y otros enteroparasitos en pacientes VIH positivos de Maracaibo, Venezuela

“…como el coccidio intestinal más frecuente entre los pacientes con VIH (12,14,15,23). Sin embargo, Singh, et al (24), también refieren a la isosporiasis como una infección común en individuos inmunocomprometidos. Desde el punto de vista epidemiológico, siempre se ha considerado más factible la transmisión de la criptosporidiosis, por las posibilidades de contagio directo humano a humano, así como su transmisión por aguas y alimentos contaminados, en comparación con ciclosporiasis e isosporiasis, que no tienen infección directa.…”

Development of Multiplex Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, and Entamoeba moshkovskii in Clinical Specimens

“…[17][18][19] Stool real-time PCR is a highly sensitive and specific technique for this infection compared with serological and microscopic methods. 20 However, a real-time PCR assay for detection of E. moshkovskii has not yet been developed and it is very important to differentiate all three species in clinical samples to avoid unnecessary treatment of E. dispar -or E. moshkovskii -infected patients with antiamoebic drugs.…”

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infection Among Inhabitants and Tribes of Chelgerd, Iran, 2008-2009

“…In developed countries intestinal protozoan parasites are known as an important cause of gastrointestinal disorders [5], enteric protozoa are one cause of diarrheal disease in children. Intestinal parasitic infections mainly are transmitted by the fecal-oral route [3,6]. Common intestinal parasites such as Giardia intestinalis (G. intestinalis) and Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) are still health challenges of economically developed and developing countries [7,8].…”