sequence diversity in trna gene locus a-l among iranian isolates of entamoeba dispar

background: a number of methods for detecting diversity in entamoeba have been described over the years. in the present study the genetic polymorphism of noncoding locus a-l was ana­lyzed using pcr and sequencing in order to clarify the genotypic differences among e. dispar isolates. methods: a total of 28 e. dispar from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were determined and the genomic dna was extracted directly from stool. for genotype analysis; locus a-l was amplified by pcr and pcr products were sequenced .the sequences obtained were edited ma­nually and aligned using gene runner software. results: with sequencing of pcr products a reliable genetic diversity in size, number and posi­tion of the repeat units were observed among the iranian e. dispar isolates in locus a-l gene. se­quences showed variation in length from 448bp to 507bp and seven distinct types were identified. conclusion: the genetic diversity of loci like a-l shows them to be suitable for epidemiological studies such as the characterization of the routes of transmission of these parasites in iran.