Epidemiology and Infection
- Epidemiology and Infection / Volume 140 / Issue 02 / February 2012, pp 323-328
- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0950268811000215 (About DOI), Published online: 14 March 2011
Other Gastroenteritis
Entamoeba species associated with chronic diarrhoea in Pakistan
J. YAKOOBa1 c1, Z. ABBASa1, M. A. BEGa2, S. NAZa1, R. KHANa1 and W. JAFRIa1
a1 Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
a2 Department of Microbiology and Pathology, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
SUMMARY
We determined the prevalence of Entamoeba (E.) histolytica, E. dispar and E. moshkovskii in patients with chronic diarrhoea associated with abdominal pain or discomfort mimicking irritable bowel syndrome. Stool samples were collected from 161 patients with chronic diarrhoea and from 157 healthy controls. Stool microscopy with modified trichrome stain, culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Entamoeba spp. differentiation was performed. Microscopy demonstrated Entamoeba cysts in 44% (57/129) of patients with diarrhoea compared to 29% (44/151) of controls (P=0·009). In patients with diarrhoea, PCR for E. histolytica was positive in 9% (11/129) (P=0·008), E. dispar in 19% (24/129) (P=0·117) and E. moshkovskii in 19% (24/129) (P<0·001). E. histolytica and E. moshkovskii were significantly associated with diarrhoea while E. dispar was found equally in both groups.
(Accepted January 28 2011)
(Online publication March 14 2011)
Key Words:
Correspondence:
c1 Author for correspondence: Dr J. Yakoob, MBBS, PhD, FACP, Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University, PO Box 3500, Stadium Road, Karachi-74800, Pakistan. (Email: javed.yakoob@aku.edu)
