High prevalence of Entamoeba moshkovskii in a Tanzanian HIV population.
Entamoeba moshkovskii and Entamoeba dispar are microscopically indistinguishable from the pathogenic species Entamoeba histolytica. There are limited data on the prevalence of these commensal infections from Africa. We utilized PCR and antigen detection to evaluate the carriage rate of E. moshkovskii, E. dispar, and E. histolytica infection in stool from a cohort of HIV-suspected or confirmed inpatients from Tanzania. E. histolytica was detected by ELISA in 4% (5/118) while E. moshkovskii and E. dispar were detected by PCR in 13% (18/136) and 5% (7/136) of individuals, respectively (P<0.05). Supporting their commensal nature, neither E. moshkovskii nor E. dispar infection was statistically associated with HIV status, CD4 count, or the presence of diarrhea. These data suggest E. moshkovskii is a common infection in HIV-infected individuals in northern Tanzania and supports the concept that the microscopic detection of Entamoeba should be interpreted cautiously.
Beck
David L
DL
Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia Health System, 409 Lane Road, MR4 2144 Charlottesville, VA 22908-1340, USA.
Doğan
Nihal
N
Maro
Venance
V
Sam
Noel E
NE
Shao
John
J
Houpt
Eric R
ER
D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002353:Carrier State / Q000469:parasitology*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000469:parasitology; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D016054:DNA, Protozoan