title: Entamoeba histolytica: the serine-rich gene polymorphism-based genetic variability of clinical isolates from Georgia.
abstract: It is generally accepted that a majority of individuals infected by Entamoeba histolytica do not develop symptomatic disease. However, the parasite and the host factors contributing to the development of the disease, remain undetermined. It is also unclear why certain individuals develop extra-intestinal amebiasis without exhibiting apparent intestinal symptoms. An outbreak of amebic liver abscess in Tbilisi, Georgia in 1998-1999 suggested that the causative E. histolytica strain had an unusual propensity for extra-intestinal spread. To correlate the genetic differences with pathogenic potential of the parasite, we have examined the SREHP gene polymorphisms among Georgian E. histolytica isolates. Comparison of polymorphic patterns revealed the presence of several different genotypes of E. histolytica, thus preventing an association of a single genotype with hepatic disease, but supporting the previous finding of extensive genetic diversity among E. histolytica isolates from the same geographic origin.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Disease Control and Medical Statistics of Georgia, 9 Asatiani Street, Tbilisi 380077, Georgia.
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Simonishvili
authors.forename: Shota
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsanava
authors.forename: Ketevan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sanadze
authors.forename: Rusudan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chlikadze
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miskalishvili
authors.forename: Nino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lomkatsi
authors.forename: Paata
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Imnadze
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Petri
authors.forename: Nino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Trapaidze
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific / Q000378:metabolism; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000235:genetics*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D005846:Georgia (Republic) / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008101:Liver Abscess, Amebic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015183:Restriction Mapping
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C073020:serine-rich protein, Entamoeba histolytica; C024669:endodeoxyribonuclease AluI; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific