title: Sequence Diversity in tRNA Gene Locus A-L among Iranian Isolates of Entamoeba dispar.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A number of methods for detecting diversity in Entamoeba have been described over the years. In the present study the genetic polymorphism of noncoding locus A-L was analyzed using PCR and sequencing in order to clarify the genotypic differences among E. dispar isolates.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 28 E. dispar from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were determined and the genomic DNA was extracted directly from stool. For genotype analysis; Locus A-L was amplified by PCR and PCR products were sequenced. The sequences obtained were edited manually and aligned using Gene Runner software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With sequencing of PCR products a reliable genetic diversity in size, number and position of the repeat units were observed among the Iranian E. dispar isolates in locus A-L gene. Sequences showed variation in length from 448bp to 507bp and seven distinct types were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The genetic diversity of loci like A-L shows them to be suitable for epidemiological studies such as the characterization of the routes of transmission of these parasites in Iran.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nazemalhosseini-Mojarad
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azimirad
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nochi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Romani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tajbakhsh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rostami-Nejad
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haghighi
authors.forename: Mr
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zali
keywords: Diversity; Entamoeba dispar; Iran; Locus A-L; STRs