title: Laboratory diagnosis of amebiasis in a sample of students from southeastern Brazil and a comparison of microscopy with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for screening of infections with Entamoeba sp.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidemiological studies on amebiasis have been reassessed since Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar were first recognized as distinct species. Because the morphological similarity of these species renders microscopic diagnosis unreliable, additional tools are required to discriminate between Entamoeba species. The objectives of our study were to compare microscopy with ELISA kit (IVD®) results, to diagnose E. histolytica infection, and to determine the prevalence of amebiasis in a sample of students from southeastern Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, diagnosis was based on microscopy due to its capacity for revealing potential cysts/trophozoites and on two commercial kits for antigen detection in stool samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For 1,403 samples collected from students aged 6 to 14 years who were living in Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil, microscopy underestimated the number of individuals infected with E. histolytica/E. dispar (5.7% prevalence) compared with the ELISA kit (IVD®)-based diagnoses (15.7% for E. histolytica/E. dispar). A comparison of the ELISA (IVD®) and light microscopy results returned a 20% sensitivity, 97% specificity, low positive predictive value, and high negative predictive value for microscopy. An ELISA kit (TechLab®) that was specific for E. histolytica detected a 3.1% (43/1403) prevalence for E. histolytica infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ELISA kit (IVD®) can be used as an alternative screening tool. The high prevalence of E. histolytica infection detected in this study warrants the implementation of actions directed toward health promotion and preventive measures.
authors.affiliation: Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, DivinópolisMG, Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG.
authors.forename: Valeriana Valadares
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, DivinópolisMG, Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG.
authors.forename: Abiqueila da Silva
authors.initials: Ada S
authors.lastname: Conceição
authors.affiliation: Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, DivinópolisMG, Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG.
authors.forename: Leandro Henrique Silva
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Maximiano
authors.affiliation: Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, DivinópolisMG, Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG.
authors.forename: Leonardo de Queiroz Gomes
authors.initials: Lde Q
authors.lastname: Belligoli
authors.affiliation: Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, DivinópolisMG, Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG.
authors.forename: Eduardo Sergio da
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic