Amoebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica, is a major public health problem in developing countries. Morphologically similar E. dispar is non pathogenic. Because of the redefinition of E. histolytica and E. dispar, and the limited number of antiamoebic drugs available, a new approach to treat such individuals is necessary. The cost of treating asymptomatic individuals is highly exorbitant and ...

To clone and express the genes encoding major antigens of Entamoeba histolytica, we constructed a lambda gt11 cDNA library for E. histolytica HM1:IMSS and screened it with pooled sera from patients with amoebiasis. A 1,223-bp cDNA was cloned (clone 1223), and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The amino acid sequence predicted to be encoded by the open reading frame of clone 1223 consisted...

Entamoeba histolytica was first cultured in vitro in 1925 (Boeck and Drbohlav, 1925) but has not yet been grown in the absence of living bacteria. Experimentally the dependence of E. histolytica on living bacteria in the intestine is well illustrated by the inability of E. histolytica to survive and invade the bowel wall of germ-free guinea-pigs (Phillips, Wolfe, Rees, Gordon, Wright, and Reyni...

Amoebiasis is an important public health problem in developing countries. Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amoebiasis, may develop resistance to nitroimidazoles, a group of drugs considered to be the most effective against this parasitic disease. Therefore, research on new drugs for the treatment of this common infection still constitutes an important therapeutic demand. In the pre...