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  • Title: Diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica in symptomatic children, Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia.
    Author: Al-Braiken FA, Salem HS.
    Journal: Egypt J Immunol; 2008; 15(1):85-92. PubMed ID: 20306672.
    Abstract:
    Amebiasis is one of the most common parasitic infections worldwide. Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar are two morphologically indistinguishable human protozoa parasites that are genetically distinct species. Differential diagnosis of E. histolytica (pathogenic) and E. dispar (non-pathogenic) is essential both for treatment decision and public health knowledge. Stool samples from 500 randomly selected children complaining of gastroenteritis were examined microscopically by direct wet smear and subjected to detection of E. histolytica antigen by ELISA using TechLab E. histolytica II test. E. histolytical E. dispar were also identified at molecular level by targeting the 166 bp, and 752 bp sequences of the 18Sr RNA gene of E. histolytica and E. dispar respectively using polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR). The overall prevalence of E. histolytica/dispar by microscopic examination was 30/500 (6%). E. histolytica was positive in 161500 (3.2%) by antigen detection ELISA technique, whereas 10 samples were not detected microscopically. PCR was able to confirm the presence of E. histolytica in 13/16 cases whereas the 3 samples recorded negative were positive by ELISA; even so there was a good agreement k = 0.86 between the two techniques. In conclusion, stool antigen detection test by ELISA is recommended over PCR in detecting and confirming E. histolytica amoebic enteritis.
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