Abstract
The pathogenicity of 47 strains ofEntamoeba histolytica isolated in Pernambuco, Brazil, was examined using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction-endonuclease digestion. Electrophoretic patterns of PCR products digested withHinfI revealed that all strains were nonpathogenic. The results were entirely in accord with phenotypic properties such as isoenzyme patterns and the failure to bind a pathogenic-isolatespecific monoclonal antibody. When the sensitivity of PCR was examined, amplified products could be detected from template DNA equivalent to five trophozoites. These observations indicate that PCR amplification of genomic DNA and subsequent restriction-enzyme digestion is a useful strategy for obtaining a sensitive and accurate diagnosis. The present study also demonstrates that nonpathogenic strains ofE. histolytica predominate in northeastern Brazil.
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This study was supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), by a Tokai University School of Medicine Research Aid award, and by a grant from the Ohyama Health Foundation
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Tachibana, H., Kobayashi, S., Paz, K.C. et al. Analysis of pathogenicity by restriction-endonuclease digestion of amplified genomic DNA ofEntamoeba histolytica isolated in Pernambuco, Brazil. Parasitol Res 78, 433–436 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931701
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931701