Frequency and molecular characterisation of Entamoeba histolytica , Entamoeba dispar , Entamoeba moshkovskii , and Entamoeba hartmanni in the context of water scarcity in northeastern Brazil

摘要

This study aimed to estimate the frequency, associated factors, and molecular characterisation of Entamoeba histolytica , Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba moshkovskii , and Entamoeba hartmanni infections. We performed a survey(n = 213 subjects) to obtain parasitological, sanitation, and sociodemographic data. Faecal samples were processedthrough flotation and centrifugation methods. E. histolytica, E. dispar, E. moshkovskii, and E. hartmanniwere identified by nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The overall prevalence of infection was 22/213 (10.3%).The infection rate among subjects who drink rainwater collected from roofs in tanks was higher than the rate in subjectswho drink desalinated water pumped from wells; similarly, the infection rate among subjects who practice opendefecation was significantly higher than that of subjects with latrines. Out of the 22 samples positive for morphologicallyindistinguishable Entamoeba species, the differentiation by PCR was successful for 21. The species distributionwas as follows: 57.1% to E. dispar, 23.8% to E. histolytica, 14.3% to E. histolytica and E. dispar, and 4.8% E. disparand E. hartmanni. These data suggest a high prevalence of asymptomatic infection by the group of morphologicallyindistinguishable Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii complex and E. hartmanni species. In this context ofwater scarcity, the sanitary and socioenvironmental characteristics of the region appear to favour transmission.