The epidemiology of amoebiasis in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq (2015-2020): differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar using nested and real-time polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the present status of amoebiasis in Thi-Qar Province in southern Iraq, and to determine the presence of <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> and <i>Entamoeba dispar</i> with nested and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).METHODS: Epidemiological data were obtained from the public health department of the Thi-Qar Health Office (2015-2020). Eighty stool samples were also randomly collected from patients ≤12 year of age with diarrhea at 2 hospitals between the beginning of February 2020 and the end of October 2020. These samples were selected after microscopy to identify the <i>18S rRNA</i> gene in <i>Entamoeba</i> DNA.RESULTS: Of the 341,554 cases of intestinal parasitic infections, 38,004 (11.1%) individuals were recorded as having amoebiasis, which accounted for the highest proportion of infections in 2015 (26.1%) and the lowest in 2020 (8.1%). Amoebiasis was distributed among all age groups, with the age group of 5-14 years accounting for the highest proportion (27.3%). In molecular testing, 42 (52.5%) out of 80 samples were positive for the <i>18S rRNA</i> gene (888 bp). Using nested PCR, <i>E. histolytica</i> (439 bp) was detected in 25 (31.3%) samples and <i>E. dispar</i> (174 bp) in 14 (17.5%), while using real-time PCR, <i>E. histolytica</i> and <i>E. dispar</i> were detected in 28 (35.0%) and 15 (18.8%) samples, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiological data confirmed that amoebiasis is endemic in this province, and is not limited to certain months. Our study confirms the applicability of molecular identification to detect pathogenic and non-pathogenic <i>Entamoeba</i> to prescribe the appropriate drug.

molecular investication of entamoeba histolytica by nested multiplex PCR in diarrheoginic patients

“…Entamoeba spp found in The consequences to the current revision presented the highest infectors found for the age group (4-10)years and for group (more than 50)years that was 83.33%, 86.66% respectively, while was lower infection rate in group (less than one years ) with the percentage 55.55% . agreed with Flaih et al, (2021) in Thi-Qar province in which they recorded high prevalence of infection 27.3% in age group (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) and lower prevalence of infection 9.0% in age group (<1)year. Similarly, many of the researchers scored more prevalence infection of Entamoeba spp in young children's they ( Saida et 2017) in Yemen ,that they recorded high prevalence of infection (45.3 %) in age of less than ten years but not agreed with recorded lower infection rate (6.1%) in age over 41 years.…”

molecular identification of entamoeba Dispar and entamoeba Moshkovskii by using nested multiplex PCR in symptomatic indivisuals

“…Kadir and Naki ., (2000).This study recorded high infection rate in rural area76.31% (58/76) and recorded lower infection rate in urban area 73.68% (42/57). The research's result these agreed with Flaih et al, (2021) in Thi-Qar province who recorded high infection rate in rural area was (69.4%) compare urban area was(30.6%), and in middle Euphrates region of Iraq by Alyasari, et al, (2019) recorded in rural area high infection rate from urban area was 68.6% and 31.2% respectively. This explain higher risk factor by infection Entamoeba parasite that causing in the rural purples ,where prevalent deficiency ,no initiation for health learning program ,lake socioeconomic parameters ,poor criteria of hygiene and health are the connected status which added for the more prevalence of infection and might have be mentioned of that lake for dealing with drinking water ,deals with contaminated animals those considered most residence of Entamoeba infection.…”

Prevalence of Giardiasis and Entamoeba Species in Two of the Six Governorates of Kuwait

“…In amoebiasis, the ingested infective cyst stage excysts in the small intestine as well but colonizes and invades the large intestine mucosal layer. Infection may develop further into an extraintestinal infection migrating to different parts of the host body including liver, brain, and lungs [21][22][23]. It is essential to note here that there are four morphologically identical Entamoeba species indistinguishable under the microscope, E. histolytica, E. dispar, E. bangladishi, and E. moshkovskii, with E. histolytica being the only causative agent of amoebiasis, while the latter three are considered commensal, noninfective species.…”

“…Although recent studies have implicated the role of E. dispar and E. moshkovskii as potential pathogens to humans, yet a more precise diagnosis approach is essential in identifying the Entamoeba sp. under investigation to prevent unnecessary treatment [22][23][24]. According to the WHO guidelines, polymer chain reaction (PCR) is the approved method for identifying and differentiating the Entamoeba sp.…”