Entamoeba moshkovskii (Tshalaia, 1941): morpho-biological characterization of new strains isolated from the environment, and a review of the literature

After an investigation carried out with samples from several sewage sludges from the town of Pavia (Italy) the AA. report the isolation of two new strains of Entamoeba moshkovskii. The usefulness and reliability of two methods, i.e. growth in hypotonic media and the thermoresistance tests in vitro for the biological typing of this species are analyzed and discussed. Both methods had already proven useful to characterize the Laredo-type strains of E. histolytica too, as reported by other AA.

The sanitary condition of rural drinking water in a Nile Delta village. I. Parasitological assessment of 'zir' stored and direct tap water

Drinking water is a recognized mode of transmission of various parasitic and bacterial infections and high prevalence rates of water-borne infection have been found during past studies in rural areas of the Nile Delta (Farag et al. 1979; Khairy. Barakat & Omar, 1978).

Stool findings in "chronic dysentery"

Faecal samples from 63 subjects with self-diagnosis of "chronic dysentery" and 50 control subjects were examined under light microscope. Vegetative form of E.h. was not detected in any of them. E.h. cyst was found in 6.3% of the "chronic dysentery" subjects and in 16% of the control subjects. E. coli and Giardia were also detected less often in the "chronic dysentery" than the control subjects. Lower incidence of protozoa namely E.h. cyst, E. coli cyst or Giardia in the former group was probably due to frequent intake of antiamoebic agents which are also effective against other intestinal protozoa. Incidence of Ascaris, hookworm, and Trichuris was not appreciably different in the two groups. More subjects in the "chronic dysentery" group had normal stool findings (31%) as compared to the control subjects (16%). It has been inferred that E.h. infection is not the cause of symptoms of "chronic dysentery".

[Protozoa of the human oral cavity (epidemiological correlations and pathogenic possibilities]

The oral protozoa frequency has been studied in 300 patients consulting for oral problems. Entamoeba gingivalis has been isolated more frequently in culture than Trichomonas tenax (50.7% against 28%). The age range which showed the highest frequency in protozoa was the 30-34 year old group for the amoeba and the 45-54 year old group for the flagellae. The endemia increased progressively in relation to the OHIS index. Trichomonas tenax is three times more frequent in case of deep periodontal diseases whereas, Entamoeba gingivalis reached its highest frequency in the case of gingivitis. The pathogenic potentials of these protozoa have been discussed in the light of these correlations and some therapeutical arguments.

[Focus of amebiasis in a psychiatric hospital in the east of France]

At the occasion of the discovery of an amoebiasis focus in a psychiatric hospital (36,2 % of the patients were Entamoeba histolytica carriers), the authors insist on the importance of systematical and continued coprological controls. They observe that the two means of fight used together, the environment and the mass treatment, have strongly limited the propagation of parasitosis. By this way they note efficiency of the association of the medicinal polyvalent and contact amoebicides.

Comparison of direct wet mount and trichrome staining techniques for detecting Entamoeba species trophozoites in stools

Simulated freshly passed stools containing motile Entamoeba moshkovskii trophozoites were examined by direct wet mount and permanent (Trichrome) staining techniques. The percentage of detection by direct mount was 4.8%. The percentage of detection of the trophozoites by direct mount plus permanent stain was 58.5%. Laboratorians should be cautioned not to rely solely on the direct wet mount for detection or identification of protozoan trophozoites.

Amebae resembling Entamoeba gingivalis in the genital tracts of IUD users

A total of 2,252 vaginopancervical (Fast) smears were studied as a continuation of an ongoing program to further investigate the occurrence of amebae in the genital tracts of women using intrauterine devices (IUDs). Of the 947 IUD users, 1% harbored trophic amebae. No amebae, however, were found in any of the 1,164 smears from non-IUD wearers. In all instances the amebae were associated with Actinomyces. Both organisms disappeared promptly after removal of the IUD. In preparations stained according to the Papanicolaou, iron-hematoxylin and Gomori-Wheatley trichrome methods, the amebae could be diagnosed as belonging to the genus Entamoeba. These trophozoites failed to stain with fluorescein-labeled anti-Entamoeba-histolytica serum. Although on the basis of the presently available evidence these trophozoites cannot be assigned with certainty to any known species, they appear to share many morphologic characteristics with Entamoeba gingivalis.

[A study of the frequency of protozoa and yeasts isolated from the parodontium of 509 subjects (author's transl)]

The protozoa Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax together with yeasts of the genus Candida were investigated in the mouth (gums or neck of tooth) of 509 healthy or diabetic subjects. A study of the possible correlation between presence of these parasites and various local or general factors, showed that neither the sex, maxillo-facial anomalies nor smoking had any influence on parasite incidence. Entamoeba gingivalis was encountered in 85 per cent of subjects free from parodontopathy. Numerous factors influenced the presence of Trichomonas tenax: age, social status, alcohol consumption, dental condition and gingival pathology. Presence of Candida was associated with diabetes, poor buccal hygiene and dental condition.

[Comparative study of Lutz, Kato-Katz and modified Faust coprologic methods]

Foram estudados, comparativamente, em 500 pacientes, os métodos de exames de fezes de Lutz, Faust modificado e Kato-Katz para o diagnóstico parasitológico de fezes. O método de Kato-Katz proporcionou maiores índices de positividade do que as outras duas técnicas no diagnóstico de ancilostomideos, T. trichiurus e S. mansoni. Nenhuma diferença foi observada quanto ao diagnóstico de A. lumbricoides. Para o diagnóstico das protozooses não houve diferença significativa entre os métodos de Faust modificado e de Lutz. Baseado nos dados obtidos, eficiência, simplicidade e rapidez de execução recomenda-se a associação dos métodos de Kato-Katz e Faust modificado na rotina de diagnóstico parasitológico de fezes.

Two species of Entamoeba from white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, from Georgia

Large numbers of 2 species of Entamoeba, Entamoeba coli and Entamoeba bovis, were recovered from captive white-tailed deer from Georgia. The trophozoite of the first ameba was a large form with a well-defined vesicular nucleus bearing a prominent eccentric endosome, abundant peripheral chromatin, and numerous periendosomal granules. Cytoplasmic vacuoles containing bacteria and other substances were common. Mature cysts were octonucleate. Glycogen vacuoles and irregularly shaped chromatoids were frequently present. This ameba was identified as Entamoeba coli. The trophozoite of the second ameba was small, with a typical Entamoeba nucleus. Cysts were uninucleate, containing numerous chromatoids resembling bars, splinters of wood, and irregular masses. There was occasionally a glycogen vacuole. This ameba was identified as Entamoeba bovis.

The prevalence of human intestinal protozoa in Ibadan, Nigeria

This study shows that the two intestinal protozoa, Giardia lamblia, Balantidium coli in addition to Entamoeba histolytica are prevalent in the Ibadan population and are responsible for many of the non-bacterial diarrhoea seen in patients. A high seasonal prevalence of the intestinal protozoa in the dry months of the year was associated with the use of contaminated water. Both the high infection rates recorded in adults and children under five years old, and the high frequency of association involving Trichomonas hominis, Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia were discussed.

The occurrence of human intestinal parasites in Finland

A survey of the occurrence of intestinal parasites covered 243 inmates of institution for the mentally retarded, 537 hospital patients from 4 areas, 100 military servicemen, and 65 prisoners. Two faecal samples from each patient were examined by the formalin-ether concentration technique. Among the mentally retarded the prevalence of intestinal parasites was high, 41.3% among children and 51.5% among adults. The commonest parasite was Entamoeba coli. In Helsinki, the prevalence among children in hospital was only 7%, but among adult out patients, 18.9%. Among hospital patients in other areas, military servicemen, and prisoners in Helsinki the prevalence of intestinal parasites was low. The high prevalence of this protozoon, 14.8% among adult out-patients in Helsinki, probably reflects the increase in tourism. Four cases of Trichuris infection were detected among the mentally retarded.