These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Encystation of Entamoeba histolytica in Axenic Culture.
    Author: Wesel J, Shuman J, Bastuzel I, Dickerson J, Ingram-Smith C.
    Journal: Microorganisms; 2021 Apr 18; 9(4):. PubMed ID: 33919506.
    Abstract:
    Entamoeba histolytica is a parasitic protozoan that causes amoebic dysentery, which affects approximately 90 million people each year worldwide. E. histolytica is transmitted through ingestion of food and water contaminated with the cyst form, which undergoes excystation in the small intestine to the trophozoite form that colonizes the large intestine. The reptile pathogen Entamoeba invadens has served as a model for studying stage conversion between the trophozoite and cyst form due to lack of reproducible encystation of E. histolytica in the laboratory. Although much has been learned about encystation and excystation using E. invadens, the findings do not fully translate to E. histolytica due to the extensive genetic and host differences between these species. Here, we present the first reproducible encystation of E. histolytica in vitro. The cysts produced were viable and displayed the four characteristic hallmarks: round shape, chitinous cell wall, tetranucleation, and detergent resistance. Using flow cytometry analysis, glucose limitation and high cell density were key for encystation, as for E. invadens. Entry into encystation was enhanced by the short-chain fatty acids acetate and propionate, unlike for E. invadens. This new model will now allow the further study of E. histolytica stage conversion, transmission, and treatment.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]