Detection of entamoeba histolytica isoenzyme profiles in Egyptians having amoebiasis

ABSTRACT

Microscopic examination and culture in Robinson's medium of 179 fresh stool samples revealed the presence of E. histolytica in 94 cases [19 with acute amoebic dysentery, 45 with chronic amoebic dysentery and 30 asymptomatic carriers], other protozoa in 50 samples and 35 samples were found to be free from parasitic infestations. Using the mobility patterns of L-malate NADP [+] oxidoreductase [ME] on polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing, all E. histolytica positively cultured isolates gave a characteristic ME band 21 mm above the insertion point. Distinctly different patterns for other protozoa were detected. Pathogenic strains of E. histolytica gave a distinctive fast moving phosphoglucomutase [PGM] beta band [10 mm above the insertion point]. Pathogenic strains were identified in 39 of 94 [41.5 percent] isolates and these strains were found to be strongly associated with dysentery and trophozoites containing ingested red blood corpuscles