title: Frequency distribution of Entamoeba histolytica zymodemes in a rural South African population.
abstract: To determine the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and its zymodeme distribution pattern, isoenzyme electrophoresis was performed on isolates of the parasite from 1381 individuals of the population of a semirural endemic area south of Durban. About 10% of the population was found to harbour E histolytica. The zymodeme distribution was similar to that described in other surveys but two new zymodemes were observed, a non-pathogenic zymodeme XIX and a pathogenic zymodeme XX. Non-pathogenic zymodemes were more frequent in females than in males. In apparently healthy individuals there was a 1% prevalence of pathogenic E histolytica; the distribution was the same in males and females even though invasive amoebiasis was far more common in males. Symptoms of amoebic colitis subsequently developed in only 2 of the 14 symptomless individuals from whom pathogenic zymodemes of E histolytica were isolated.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gathiram
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012423:Rural Health; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes