1
|
Uribe-Querol E, Rosales C. Neutrophils versus Protozoan Parasites: Plasmodium, Trichomonas, Leishmania, Trypanosoma, and Entameoba. Microorganisms 2024; 12:827. [PMID: 38674770 PMCID: PMC11051968 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils are the most abundant polymorphonuclear granular leukocytes in human blood and are an essential part of the innate immune system. Neutrophils are efficient cells that eliminate pathogenic bacteria and fungi, but their role in dealing with protozoan parasitic infections remains controversial. At sites of protozoan parasite infections, a large number of infiltrating neutrophils is observed, suggesting that neutrophils are important cells for controlling the infection. Yet, in most cases, there is also a strong inflammatory response that can provoke tissue damage. Diseases like malaria, trichomoniasis, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and amoebiasis affect millions of people globally. In this review, we summarize these protozoan diseases and describe the novel view on how neutrophils are involved in protection from these parasites. Also, we present recent evidence that neutrophils play a double role in these infections participating both in control of the parasite and in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Uribe-Querol
- Laboratorio de Biología del Desarrollo, División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Carlos Rosales
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Prevalence of Human Intestinal Entamoeba spp. in the Americas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, 1990–2022. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11111365. [DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the seven species of Entamoeba known to infect humans, E. histolytica is widely recognized as a pathogen. It is reported that Entamoeba infections are common in the developing world, but rare in developed countries. The best way to diagnose these protozoan parasites is to detect antigens or DNA in the stool. This study aimed to review the prevalence, distribution, and diagnosis methods of Entamoeba spp. infecting humans in the Americas between 1990 and 2022. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed, including 227 studies on Entamoeba infections from 30 out of 35 American countries. The pooled prevalence of each species of Entamoeba was calculated using the random-effects model. The assignment of Entamoeba species was mainly performed by microscopy. The most widely distributed and prevalent species was E. coli (21.0%). Of the studies, 49% could not differentiate the species of the Entamoeba complex. The pathogenic species E. Histolytica was distributed among 22 out of 30 American countries studied, with a pooled prevalence of 9%. Molecular data on Entamoeba species are still scarce. This is the first study that reviewed and summarized data on the prevalence of this protozoan genera among American countries.
Collapse
|
3
|
da Silva CAV, de Oliveira IMC, Cruz RE, Silva Prado GK, Santos FV, Neves NCV, Gomes MA, Silva Oliveira FM, Caliari MV. South American Entamoeba dispar strains produce amoebic liver abscesses with different pathogenicities and evolutionary kinetics. Acta Trop 2021; 224:106114. [PMID: 34450059 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Amoebiasis is a protozoan disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica, and presents a geographic distribution of worldwide amplitude, high incidence, sometimes accompanied by severe clinical manifestations such as amoebic colitis and Amoebic Liver Abscess (ALA), remaining as a public health problem in developing countries. Entamoeba dispar is another species of amoeba that infects approximately 12% of the world's population, and it has previously been classified as noninvasive. However, E. dispar has already been isolated from patients with symptomatic non-dysenteric colitis, as well as its DNA sequences were detected and genotyped in samples from patients with dysenteric colitis, and patients with ALA, suggesting that this species could also be involved in the development of lesions in the large intestine and liver of human beings. In this context, this study aims to evaluate the ability of isolated strains of Entamoeba dispar in South America to cause liver damage, and to better characterize histopathological findings in 3, 8, 12 and 16 days after infection (DAI). Firstly, we assessed whether trophozoites from MCR, ACFN, ICS, ADO and VEJ E. dispar strains, and EGG Entamoeba histolytica strain differed in their in vitro phagocytosis ability, being related to greater ability to phagocyte with greater virulence. Then, we investigate and characterize histopathological changes present in the liver of mice induced by different strains of E. dispar. Our results demonstrated that trophozoites from E. dispar strains are capable of phagocyting human erythrocytes, but in lower amounts than Entamoeba histolytica. In addition, we described and characterized the lesions in different periods after infection by different E. dispar strains, and identified ACFN as the most pathogenic strain, followed by MCR. The large areas of necrosis produced by the ACFN strain as the eighth DAI, which also show high parasitism, led to 100% mortality. On the other hand, the ICS, ADO and VEJ strains did not produce mortality, and this was correlated with the presence of well-developed chronic granulomatous inflammation, necrosis absorption throughout the infection, and regeneration of the liver parenchyma. The greater pathogenicity of the ACFN strain strongly suggests that this strain could be producing higher levels of virulence factors. As the experimental infection, the heterogeneity of biological behavior of different Entamoeba dispar strains could be involved in the development of undiagnosed human clinical conditions.
Collapse
|
4
|
Uribe-Querol E, Rosales C. Immune Response to the Enteric Parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Physiology (Bethesda) 2021; 35:244-260. [PMID: 32490746 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00038.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite responsible for amoebiasis, a disease with a high prevalence in developing countries. Establishing an amoebic infection involves interplay between pathogenic factors for invasion and tissue damage, and immune responses for protecting the host. Here, we review the pathogenicity of E. histolytica and summarize the latest knowledge on immune response and immune evasion mechanisms during amoebiasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Uribe-Querol
- División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos Rosales
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rojas L, Morán P, Valadez A, Gómez A, González E, Hernández E, Partida O, Nieves M, Gudiño M, Magaña U, Torres J, Ximénez C. Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar infection in Mexican school children: genotyping and phylogenetic relationship. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:485. [PMID: 27618874 PMCID: PMC5020506 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1812-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to determine the frequency of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar infection in school children in the community of Tlaltizapan, in order to understand the dynamics of infection within the school and family spheres of this population. Amoebiasis is an unsolved public health problem and an endemic disease in Mexico. The incidence rate varies depending on the state; the most affected states show the highest numbers of new cases of amoebiasis per year. Previously, we reported the molecular frequency of infection with E. histolytica and/or E. dispar in other rural communities of the state of Morelos. METHODS Children from 3 schools were studied to estimate the frequency of intestinal parasites through microscopic examination of fresh stool samples. The number of studied individuals were 309 school children. The molecular characterization of E. histolytica or E. dispar was carried out by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using species-specific primers to amplify short tandem repeats (STR) in non-coding sequences associated with the tRNA gene; the amplified fragments were sequenced and analyzed. RESULTS Eight different genotypes were obtained from E. dispar isolates with the molecular marker NKD3-D5. None of the cases in which the species E. histolytica was detected developed symptoms attributable to an invasive process of disease. Moreover, the parasitized condition appeared to have no significant impact on the development or nutritional status of affected children. Genotype 1, which corresponds to the reference strain E. dispar SAW760, considered a non-pathogenic amoeba, was the most prevalent. CONCLUSIONS The comparison of the genotypes of Entamoeba species did not show a correlation between children and their relatives. In this community, the species Entamoeba dispar genotype 1 was the most widespread. Based on the indicators of growth, development and nutrition status, the studied community seems to be reasonably adapted to constant exposure to intestinal parasites, since there were no evidences of a serious impact of the parasitized condition on the children's health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Rojas
- Research Unit of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Dr Balmis No148 Col. Doctores, CP 06726 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Patricia Morán
- Research Unit of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Dr Balmis No148 Col. Doctores, CP 06726 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alicia Valadez
- Research Unit of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Dr Balmis No148 Col. Doctores, CP 06726 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Gómez
- Research Unit of infectious Diseases, Pediatric Hospital, XXI Century Medical Center, Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Enrique González
- Research Unit of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Dr Balmis No148 Col. Doctores, CP 06726 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Eric Hernández
- Research Unit of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Dr Balmis No148 Col. Doctores, CP 06726 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Oswaldo Partida
- Research Unit of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Dr Balmis No148 Col. Doctores, CP 06726 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miriam Nieves
- Research Unit of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Dr Balmis No148 Col. Doctores, CP 06726 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Marco Gudiño
- Research Unit of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Dr Balmis No148 Col. Doctores, CP 06726 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ulises Magaña
- Research Unit of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Dr Balmis No148 Col. Doctores, CP 06726 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Javier Torres
- Research Unit of infectious Diseases, Pediatric Hospital, XXI Century Medical Center, Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Cecilia Ximénez
- Research Unit of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Dr Balmis No148 Col. Doctores, CP 06726 Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yimer M, Zenebe Y, Mulu W, Abera B, Saugar JM. Molecular prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica/dispar infection among patients attending four health centres in north-west Ethiopia. Trop Doct 2016; 47:11-15. [PMID: 26834117 DOI: 10.1177/0049475515627236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of amoebiasis is often overestimated owing to its epidemiological overlap with the non-pathogenic Entamoeba dispar To provide evidence for this conjecture, a cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to January 2015. A range of 180-200 µg of semi-solid and formed stools and 200 µL of diarrhoeic stool samples were used for DNA extraction from microscopically E. histolytica/dispar positive samples using the QIAamp® DNA Stool Mini Kit according to manufacturers' instructions. Nested PCR targeting 18S ribosomal RNA gene was used. In 422 microscopically positive E. histolytica/dispar stools, molecular prevalence revealed that E. histolytica infestation was present in only 1.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47-2.93) and E. dispar was found in 42.2% (95% CI, 37.49-46.91), while 56.2% (95% CI, 51.47-60.93) had neither E. histolytica nor E. dispar (P < 0.001). We conclude that infestation with E. histolytica is rarer in our study areas than was previously believed. Hence, accurate differentiation of E. histolytica and E. dispar is crucial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mulat Yimer
- Medical Parasitologist; Lecturer, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University
| | - Yohannes Zenebe
- Lecturer, College of Medicine, Bahir Dar University and Health Sciences and tropical infectious diseases
| | - Wondemagegn Mulu
- Medical Microbiologist; Lecturer, College of Medicine, Bahir Dar University and Health Sciences
| | - Bayeh Abera
- Medical Microbiologist; Lecturer, College of Medicine and Health Sciences
| | - José M Saugar
- Carlos III Institute of health, Madrid, Spain, Laboratory officer at Department of amoebiasis
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Oliveira FMS, Neumann E, Gomes MA, Caliari MV. Entamoeba dispar: Could it be pathogenic. Trop Parasitol 2015; 5:9-14. [PMID: 25709947 PMCID: PMC4327003 DOI: 10.4103/2229-5070.149887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Amebiasis is a disease caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. This ameba can colonize the human intestine and persist as a commensal parasite, similar to Entamoeba dispar, an ameba considered to be non-pathogenic. The similarities between E. histolytica and E. dispar make the latter an attractive model for studies aimed at clarifying the pathogenesis of amebiasis. However, in addition to being an interesting experimental model, this relative of E. histolytica remains poorly understood. In the 1990, it was believed that E. dispar was unable to produce significant experimental lesions. This scenario began to change in 1996, when E. dispar strains were isolated from symptomatic patients in Brazil. These strains were able to produce liver and intestinal lesions that were occasionally indistinguishable from those produced by E. histolytica. These and other findings, such as the detection of E. dispar DNA sequences in samples from patients with amebic liver abscess, have revived the possibility that this species can produce lesions in humans. The present paper presents a series of studies on E. dispar that begin to reveal a new facet of this protozoan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrício Marcus Silva Oliveira
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elisabeth Neumann
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Maria Aparecida Gomes
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Vidigal Caliari
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ayed SB, Bouratbine A. Entamoeba dispar strains: analysis of polymorphism in Tunisian isolates. Acta Trop 2013; 125:107-9. [PMID: 23036807 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2012.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2012] [Revised: 08/30/2012] [Accepted: 09/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The ability to detect intra-species polymorphism in Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar is an important tool for studying geographic distribution and transmission mechanisms. E. dispar and E. histolytica share the same mechanism for transmission among human hosts, and so after differentiation between these species. We studied the intra-species variation and distribution of E. dispar strains obtained from cyst passers, specifically from African students and Tunisian food handlers. We analyzed the polymorphic region of the chitinase protein gene in 13 individuals infected with E. dispar, of which 9 were from Tunisia and 4 from other African countries. We identified 7 different chitinase patterns in Tunisians while the 4 isolates from other countries each had a distinct pattern. Two of the patterns we found have been reported in studies from Mexico and India, possibly indicating worldwide spread of certain strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soumaya Ben Ayed
- Department of Parasitology - Mycology, LR 11-IPT-06, Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Morán P, Rojas L, Cerritos R, Zermeño V, Valadez A, de Oca GM, Reyes MÁ, González E, Partida O, Hernández E, Nieves M, Portillo T, Gudiño M, Ramiro M, Ximénez C. Case report: Cutaneous amebiasis: the importance of molecular diagnosis of an emerging parasitic disease. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2012. [PMID: 23208883 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.12-0278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous amebiasis is the least common clinical form of human amebiasis in Mexico, sexual amebiasis was only occasionally observed before the late 1980s. However, in the last few decades, most of the documented cases of cutaneous amebiasis from around the world are sexually transmitted. We present two cases of sexually transmitted genital amebiasis. The molecular characterization of the Entamoeba species in the affected tissues underlines the importance of an etiological diagnosis using specific and sensitive techniques that avoid the rapid destruction of tissues and the irreversible sequelae to the anatomy and function of the affected organs. In addition, for those interested in the study of the human-amoebic disease relationship and its epidemiology, the detection of a new, mixed infection in an invasive case of amebiasis reveals new perspectives in the study of the extraordinarily complex host-parasite relationship in amebiasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Morán
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ximénez C, Morán P, Rojas L, Valadez A, Gómez A, Ramiro M, Cerritos R, González E, Hernández E, Oswaldo P. Novelties on amoebiasis: a neglected tropical disease. J Glob Infect Dis 2011; 3:166-74. [PMID: 21731305 PMCID: PMC3125031 DOI: 10.4103/0974-777x.81695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
In accordance with the 1997 documents of the World Health Organization (WHO), amoebiasis is defined as the infection by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica with or without clinical manifestations. The only known natural host of E. histolytica is the human with the large intestine as major target organ. This parasite has a very simple life cycle in which the infective form is the cyst, considered a resistant form of parasite: The asymptomatic cyst passers and the intestinal amoebiasis patients are the transmitters; they excrete cysts in their feces, which can contaminate food and water sources. E. histolytica sensu stricto is the potentially pathogenic species and E. dispar is a commensal non-pathogenic Entamoeba. Both species are biochemical, immunological and genetically distinct. The knowledge of both species with different pathogenic phenotypes comes from a large scientific debate during the second half of the 20(th) century, which gave place to the rapid development of diagnostics technology based on molecular and immunological strategies. During the last ten years, knowledge of the new epidemiology of amoebiasis in different geographic endemic and non-endemic areas has been obtained by applying mostly molecular techniques. In the present work we highlight novelties on human infection and the disease that can help the general physician from both endemic and non-endemic countries in their medical practice, particularly, now that emigration is undoubtedly a global phenomenon that is modifying the previous geography of infectious diseases worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Ximénez
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Patricia Morán
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Liliana Rojas
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alicia Valadez
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Gómez
- Unit of Medical Researches in Infection and Parasite Diseases, Pediatric Hospital, Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Manuel Ramiro
- Unit of Education, Scientific Research and Health Policy; Direction of Medical Benefits, Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - René Cerritos
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Enrique González
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Eric Hernández
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Partida Oswaldo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ximénez C, Cerritos R, Rojas L, Dolabella S, Morán P, Shibayama M, González E, Valadez A, Hernández E, Valenzuela O, Limón A, Partida O, Silva EF. Human amebiasis: breaking the paradigm? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2010; 7:1105-20. [PMID: 20617021 PMCID: PMC2872301 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph7031105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2009] [Revised: 02/02/2010] [Accepted: 03/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
For over 30 years it has been established that the Entamoeba histolytica protozoan included two biologically and genetically different species, one with a pathogenic phenotype called E. histolytica and the other with a non-pathogenic phenotype called Entamoeba dispar. Both of these amoebae species can infect humans. E. histolytica has been considered as a potential pathogen that can cause serious damage to the large intestine (colitis, dysentery) and other extraintestinal organs, mainly the liver (amebic liver abscess), whereas E. dispar is a species that interacts with humans in a commensal relationship, causing no symptoms or any tissue damage. This paradigm, however, should be reconsidered or re-evaluated. In the present work, we report the detection and genotyping of E. dispar sequences of DNA obtained from patients with amebic liver abscesses, including the genotyping of an isolate obtained from a Brazilian patient with a clinical diagnosis of intestinal amebiasis that was previously characterized as an E. dispar species. The genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis performed by our group has shown the existence of several different genotypes of E. dispar that can be associated to, or be potentiality responsible for intestinal or liver tissue damage, similar to that observed with E. histolytica.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Ximénez
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Rene Cerritos
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
- Department of Zoology, ENCB, National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), México City, 11340, Mexico
| | - Liliana Rojas
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Silvio Dolabella
- Department of Morphology, Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Sergipe, 49100-000, Brazil; E-Mail:
| | - Patricia Morán
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Mineko Shibayama
- Department of Infectomic and Molecular Pathogenesis, (CINVESTAV), Mexico City, 07360, Mexico; E-Mail:
| | - Enrique González
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Alicia Valadez
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Eric Hernández
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Olivia Valenzuela
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, University of Sonora (UNISON), Hermosillo, Sonora, 83000, Mexico; E-Mail:
| | - Angélica Limón
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Oswaldo Partida
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Edwards F Silva
- Department of Parasitology, Institute for Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil; E-Mail:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mojarad EN, Haghighi A, Kazemi B, Nejad MR, Abadi A, Zali MR. High genetic diversity among Iranian Entamoeba dispar isolates based on the noncoding short tandem repeat locus D-A. Acta Trop 2009; 111:133-6. [PMID: 19524081 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2009.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2008] [Revised: 01/29/2009] [Accepted: 03/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study has identified and characterized the structure of locus D-A, a noncoding short tandem repeat (STR) region, also known as locus 1-2, in Iranian Entamoeba dispar isolates. This polymorphic locus has been shown to be potentially useful in investigating the molecular epidemiology of Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar. The genetic polymorphisms in locus D-A in 28 isolates of E. dispar from three different geographic regions of Iran were distinguished using PCR and sequencing, and the results were compared with the E. dispar gene sequences available in GenBank. In all microscopy-positive E. histolytica/E. dispar samples, PCR with species-specific primers was used to amplify a 477-531 bp product, identifying the samples that had E. dispar. Analysis of the sequences revealed a remarkable degree of genetic diversity with regard to size, number and organization of the repeat units among the E. dispar isolates. The sequenced products showed 12 novel E. dispar genotypes, which have been submitted to the GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ database under accession numbers AB354125-AB354136.
Collapse
|
13
|
Parija SC, Khairnar K. Mutation detection analysis of a region of 16S-like ribosomal RNA gene of Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar and Entamoeba moshkovskii. BMC Infect Dis 2008; 8:131. [PMID: 18822136 PMCID: PMC2570676 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-8-131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2008] [Accepted: 09/26/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The level of intra-species genetic variation in Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar and Entamoeba moshkovskii populations in a localized geographic area, like Puducherry, India, remains unknown. METHODS In the present study the existence of genetic variation in the nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (NM-PCR) amplified region of the 16S-like ribosomal RNA genes of E. histolytica, E. dispar and E. moshkovskii was investigated by riboprinting and single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. RESULTS We found that 70 stool specimens were positive for E. histolytica, 171 stool specimens were positive for E. dispar, and 37 stool specimens were positive for E. moshkovskii by NM-PCR. Ninety liver abscess pus specimens, 21 urine specimens, and 8 saliva specimens were positive for E. histolytica by NM-PCR. Riboprinting analysis detected a mutation in the PCR product of only one E. histolytica isolate from a stool specimen. However, SSCP analysis detected mutations in the PCR products of five E. histolytica isolates and three E. moshkovskii isolates from stool specimens, and one E. histolytica isolate from a saliva specimen. The mutations detected by riboprinting and SSCP analysis were confirmed by sequencing. All the nucleotide sequences showing mutations in this study have already been deposited into the NCBI GenBank database under accession numbers [GenBank: EF682200 to GenBank: EF682208]. CONCLUSION The present study has revealed the subsistence of mutations in the ribosomal RNA genes of E. histolytica and E. moshkovskii, which points towards the existence of intra-species genetic variation in E. histolytica and E. moshkovskii isolates infecting humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Subhash Chandra Parija
- Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate, Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, 605006, India
| | - Krishna Khairnar
- Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate, Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, 605006, India
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ali IKM, Clark CG, Petri WA. Molecular epidemiology of amebiasis. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2008; 8:698-707. [PMID: 18571478 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2008.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2008] [Revised: 04/18/2008] [Accepted: 05/01/2008] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of human amebiasis, remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries and is responsible for up to 100,000 deaths worldwide each year. Entamoeba dispar, morphologically indistinguishable from E. histolytica, is more common in humans in many parts of the world. Similarly Entamoeba moshkovskii, which was long considered to be a free-living ameba, is also morphologically identical to E. histolytica and E. dispar, and is highly prevalent in some E. histolytica endemic countries. However, the only species to cause disease in humans is E. histolytica. Most old epidemiological data on E. histolytica are unusable as the techniques employed do not differentiate between the above three Entamoeba species. Molecular tools are now available not only to diagnose these species accurately but also to study intra-species genetic diversity. Recent studies suggest that only a minority of all E. histolytica infections progress to the development of clinical symptoms in the host and there exist population level differences between the E. histolytica strains isolated from the asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. Nevertheless the underlying factors responsible for variable clinical outcome of infection by E. histolytica remain largely unknown. We anticipate that the recently completed E. histolytica genome sequence and new molecular techniques will rapidly advance our understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenicity of amebiasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ibne Karim M Ali
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia Health System, MR4 Building Room 2115, Lane Road, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Fotedar R, Stark D, Beebe N, Marriott D, Ellis J, Harkness J. Laboratory diagnostic techniques for Entamoeba species. Clin Microbiol Rev 2007; 20:511-32, table of contents. [PMID: 17630338 PMCID: PMC1932757 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00004-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 251] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Entamoeba contains many species, six of which (Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba moshkovskii, Entamoeba polecki, Entamoeba coli, and Entamoeba hartmanni) reside in the human intestinal lumen. Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amebiasis and is considered a leading parasitic cause of death worldwide in humans. Although recent studies highlight the recovery of E. dispar and E. moshkovskii from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, there is still no convincing evidence of a causal link between the presence of these two species and the symptoms of the host. New approaches to the identification of E. histolytica are based on detection of E. histolytica-specific antigen and DNA in stool and other clinical samples. Several molecular diagnostic tests, including conventional and real-time PCR, have been developed for the detection and differentiation of E. histolytica, E. dispar, and E. moshkovskii in clinical samples. The purpose of this review is to discuss different methods that exist for the identification of E. histolytica, E. dispar, and E. moshkovskii which are available to the clinical diagnostic laboratory. To address the need for a specific diagnostic test for amebiasis, a substantial amount of work has been carried out over the last decade in different parts of the world. The molecular diagnostic tests are increasingly being used for both clinical and research purposes. In order to minimize undue treatment of individuals infected with other species of Entamoeba such as E. dispar and E. moshkovskii, efforts have been made for specific diagnosis of E. histolytica infection and not to treat based simply on the microscopic examination of Entamoeba species in the stool. The incorporation of many new technologies into the diagnostic laboratory will lead to a better understanding of the public health problem and measures to control the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Fotedar
- St. Vincent's Hospital, Department of Microbiology, Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Clark CG. Methods for the investigation of diversity in Entamoeba histolytica. Arch Med Res 2006; 37:258-62. [PMID: 16380327 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2005.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2005] [Accepted: 09/26/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The ability to distinguish variants of a species has many potential applications. In Entamoeba histolytica the first method to detect variation was based on isoenzyme analysis. However, this approach has been superseded by DNA-based analysis. In this review I discuss the basis of the variation detected in E. histolytica by the various molecular methods that have been published to date. Information on diversity in other species is mentioned where such information exists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Graham Clark
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ximénez C. Epidemiology of amebiasis in Mexico: a molecular approach. Arch Med Res 2006; 37:263-5. [PMID: 16380328 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2005.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2005] [Accepted: 09/27/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The differentiation of the two Entamoeba species E. histolytica and E. dispar through molecular characterization in the last decade of the twentieth century led to the need to re-evaluate the epidemiology of amebiasis in terms of prevalence and morbidity of the infection in the world's population, particularly in those geographic regions with high endemic rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Ximénez
- Experimental Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México (UNAM), México, D.F., México.
| |
Collapse
|