title: Molecular differentiation of Entamoeba spp. in a rural community of Loja province, South Ecuador.
abstract: Although previous epidemiological surveys in Ecuador indicate the presence of Entamoeba histolytica, prevalence data of this parasite remain scarce. Most of the studies were based on microscopic examination, which does not allow a morphological differentiation from the non-pathogenic Ent. dispar and Ent. moshkovskii. In the present study, 674 stool samples from a South Ecuadorian rural community were screened for Entamoeba spp. Subsequently, molecular identification was performed on 101 samples containing Ent. histolytica/Ent. dispar/Ent. moshkovskii cysts. The study indicated the absence of Ent. histolytica in this South Ecuadorian community and confirmed the difficulty of differentiating Entamoeba spp. based on morphological features.
authors: Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium. Bruno.Levecke@Ugent.be
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Levecke
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Dreesen
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Barrionuevo-Samaniego
authors: W Benitez
authors: WB
authors: Ortiz
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Praet
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Brandt
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Dorny
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D004484:Ecuador / Q000453:epidemiology; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan