title: Frequency and molecular characterisation of Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba moshkovskii, and Entamoeba hartmanni in the context of water scarcity in northeastern Brazil.
abstract: This study aimed to estimate the frequency, associated factors, and molecular characterisation of Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba moshkovskii, andEntamoeba hartmanni infections. We performed a survey (n = 213 subjects) to obtain parasitological, sanitation, and sociodemographic data. Faecal samples were processed through flotation and centrifugation methods.E. histolytica, E. dispar, E. moshkovskii, and E. hartmanni were identified by nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The overall prevalence of infection was 22/213 (10.3%). The infection rate among subjects who drink rainwater collected from roofs in tanks was higher than the rate in subjects who drink desalinated water pumped from wells; similarly, the infection rate among subjects who practice open defecation was significantly higher than that of subjects with latrines. Out of the 22 samples positive for morphologically indistinguishableEntamoeba species, the differentiation by PCR was successful for 21. The species distribution was as follows: 57.1% to E. dispar, 23.8% to E. histolytica, 14.3% toE. histolytica and E. dispar, and 4.8% E. dispar and E. hartmanni. These data suggest a high prevalence of asymptomatic infection by the group of morphologically indistinguishable Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskiicomplex and E. hartmanni species. In this context of water scarcity, the sanitary and socioenvironmental characteristics of the region appear to favour transmission.
authors: Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors: Deiviane Aparecida
authors: DA
authors: Calegar
authors: Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors: Beatriz Coronato
authors: BC
authors: Nunes
authors: Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors: Kerla Joeline Lima
authors: KJ
authors: Monteiro
authors: Escritório Técnico Regional Fiocruz Piauí, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brasil.
authors: Jéssica Pereira Dos
authors: JP
authors: Santos
authors: Laboratório de Diagnóstico Molecular e Hematologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors: Helena Keiko
authors: HK
authors: Toma
authors: Laboratório de Ecoepidemiologia da Doença de Chagas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors: Tais Ferreira
authors: TF
authors: Gomes
authors: Laboratório de Ecoepidemiologia da Doença de Chagas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors: Marli Maria
authors: MM
authors: Lima
authors: Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors: Márcio Neves
authors: MN
authors: Bóia
authors: Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors: Filipe Anibal
authors: FA
authors: Carvalho-Costa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D055864:Droughts; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058889:Molecular Typing / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D060986:Water Wells; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D060766:Drinking Water