Comparative immunological study of children infected with Entamoeba spp. parasites in Thi-Qar province

Abstract

Background. Amoebiasis is one of the major public health problems, it is caused by the genus Entamoeba which includes several species, such as E. histolytica, E. dispar and E. moshkovskii. Purposes. The present study aimed to differentiate among Entamoeba spp. by using molecular method (PCR) and to identify characteristic serum markers (IgG and IL-6) according to species. Methods. About 697 stool samples were collected from children under five years old, and blood samples (3 ml) of venous blood were collected from patients with positive microscopic examination to evaluate some immune parameters (IL-6, IgG) for children infected with the parasite using the ELISA test. DNA extraction was carried out from fecal samples using a special stool DNA extraction kit and Multiplex PCR primers were designed to detect E. histolytica, E. dispar and E. moshkovskii. Results. About 100(14.34%) were infected with Entamoeba spp. by microscopic examination and 68 samples DNA-samples were positive. Fifty samples 50% were infected with E. histolytica, and 12% with a mixed infection. A significant increase (p≤0.05) in the concentration of IgG immunoglobulin in the sera of children infected with the E. histolytica parasite. A significant increase (p≤0.05) in the concentration of interleukin-6 in the sera of patients groups infected with Entamoeba spp., the highest significant increase (p≤0.05) was recorded in patients group infected with the E. moshkovskii. Conclusion. Molecular tests have the ability to detect and distinguish between the Entamoeba species infecting humans. Amoebiasis caused an increase in the concentration of IgG and interleukin-6.

Keywords

• pcr
• entamoeba spp.
• il-6
• igg
• thi-qar province
• amoebiasis