title: The MAK16 gene of Entamoeba histolytica and its identification in isolates from patients.
abstract: To identify sequences of Entamoeba histolytica associated with the development of amebic liver abscess (ALA) in hamsters, subtractive hybridization of cDNA from E. histolytica HM-1:IMSS under 2 growth conditions was performed: 1) cultured in axenic medium and 2) isolated from experimental ALA in hamsters. For this procedure, 6 sequences were obtained. Of these sequences, the mak16 gene was selected for amplification in 29 cultures of E. histolytica isolated from the feces of 10 patients with intestinal symptoms and 19 asymptomatic patients. Only 5 of the 10 isolates obtained from symptomatic patients developed ALA and amplified the mak16 gene, whereas the 19 isolates from asymptomatic patients did not amplify the mak16 gene nor did they develop ALA. Based on the results of Fisher's exact test (P<0.001), an association was inferred between the presence of the mak16 gene of E. histolytica and the ability to develop ALA in hamsters and with the patient's symptoms (P=0.02). The amplification of the mak16 gene suggests that it is an important gene in E. histolytica because it was present in the isolates from hamsters that developed liver damage.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Laboratory of Parasitology Research, Dr. Márquez #162 Col. Doctores, 06720, México, D.F.
authors.forename: María del Pilar
authors.initials: Mdel P
authors.lastname: Crisóstomo-Vázquez
authors.affiliation: Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Laboratory of Parasitology Research, Dr. Márquez #162 Col. Doctores, 06720, México, D.F.
authors.forename: Víctor Alberto
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Marevelez-Acosta
authors.affiliation: Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Laboratory of Parasitology Research, Dr. Márquez #162 Col. Doctores, 06720, México, D.F.
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flores-Luna
authors.affiliation: Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Laboratory of Parasitology Research, Dr. Márquez #162 Col. Doctores, 06720, México, D.F.
authors.forename: Enedina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Cardoso
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D017125:Genes, Protozoan; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D006801:Humans; D008101:Liver Abscess, Amebic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D037521:Virulence Factors
keywords: Entamoeba histolytica; amebic liver abscess; mak16 gene; subtraction hybridization