Frequency and molecular characterisation of Entamoeba histolytica , Entamoeba dispar , Entamoeba moshkovskii , and Entamoeba hartmanni in the context of water scarcity in northeastern Brazil

• Published in: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Vol. 111; no. 2; pp. 114 - 119
• Main Authors: Calegar, Deiviane Aparecida, Nunes, Beatriz Coronato, Monteiro, Kerla Joeline Lima, Santos, Jéssica Pereira dos, Toma, Helena Keiko, Gomes, Tais Ferreira, Lima, Marli Maria, Bóia, Márcio Neves, Carvalho-Costa, Filipe Anibal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz 01.02.2016; Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Brazil; Brazil - epidemiology; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; DNA, Protozoan - analysis; Drinking Water - parasitology; Droughts; Entamoeba - classification; Entamoeba - genetics; entamoebiasis; Entamoebiasis - epidemiology; epidemiology; Feces - parasitology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Typing - methods; parasites; PARASITOLOGY; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Poverty; Prevalence; protozoa; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Water Wells; Young Adult; Brazil; Brazil; epidemiology; parasites; entamoebiasis; protozoa
• ISSN: 1678-8060; 0074-0276; 1678-8060
• DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760150383

This study aimed to estimate the frequency, associated factors, and molecular characterisation of Entamoeba histolytica , Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba moshkovskii , and Entamoeba 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 indistinguishable Entamoeba 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% to E. 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/moshkovskii complex and E. hartmanni species. In this context of water scarcity, the sanitary and socioenvironmental characteristics of the region appear to favour transmission.