Abstract

MONTANO ALMENDRAS, Carmen Patricia; HERVEG, Jean Pierre  and  IRIARTE, Mercedes. DETECCION Y DIFERENCIACION DE ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA / ENTAMOEBA DISPAR MEDIANTE REACCION EN CADENA DE LA POLIMERASA (PCR) USANDO DNA EXTRAIDO DE  QUISTES PRESENTES  EN MUESTRAS DE HECES FECALES HUMANAS. Gac Med Bol [online]. 2006, vol.29, n.2, pp.5-10. ISSN 1012-2966.

It has been established that two distinct species exist within what was originally known as Entamoeba histolytica. These are E. dispar (nonpathogenic form) and E. histolytica (pathogenic form). Differentiation of these two organisms is of great clinical importance since they are morphologically indistinguishable. Differential diagnosis of this two species is essential for treatment decision and public health knowledge. A simple and rapid DNA-extraction method that can be used directly on formalin-ether stool specimens. The extracted DNA was used for the identification of the species existing in the stools by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 75 randomly collected stool sample were analyzed. The samples analyzed by microscopic were 75, after confirmation by PCR: 7/75 samples resulting positive for E. histolytica, 60/75 samples resulting positive for E. dispar and 8/75 resulting negative because didn't amplify be able to be other amoebas like E. hartmani, E. iodoamoeba, E. coli, etc. With these results we can realize the magnitude of false positive that are generated with the microscopic exams. These observations imply that the use of the DNA extracted directly of the concentrate of cysts for PCR amplification is a useful tool for obtaining a sensitive and accurate diagnosis that can be applied even in epidemiology.

Keywords : Entamoeba histolytica; Entamoeba dispar; polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

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