Iranian Journal of Parasitology (Feb 2012)

Sequence Diversity in tRNA Gene Locus A-L among Iranian Isolates of Entamoeba Dispar

  • M Rostami-Nejad,
  • M Tajbakhsh,
  • S Romani,
  • Z Nochi,
  • M Azimirad,
  • E Nazemalhosseini-Mojarad,
  • A Haghighi,
  • MR Zali

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 97 – 103

Abstract

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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.

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