title: Symptomatic and asymptomatic amoebiasis in two heterosexual couples.
abstract: Four cases of amoebiasis are described: two symptomatic with intestinal and hepatic involvement and two asymptomatic, diagnosed in two, heterosexual, Italian couples. Infection was probably acquired first by the men, via an indirect faccal-oral route, and then transmitted to their partners in the same way. The two amoebic strains isolated, from the woman of one couple and the man of the other, were characterized by electrophoresis as zymodemes II alpha- and XIX of Entamoeba histolytica. These four cases emphasise once more the role of cyst-passers in the spread of infection and the importance of biochemical identification of the amoebic isolates, enabling more specific treatment.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Parasitology, Virology Service, IRCCS San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gatti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cevini
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bernuzzi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scaglia
mesh_terms: D000081:Acetamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000563:Amebicides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D009950:Ornidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010303:Paromomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018454:Spouses
chemical_list: D000081:Acetamides; D000563:Amebicides; C010151:etofamide; D010303:Paromomycin; D009950:Ornidazole