Introduction:

Entamoeba histolytica is an amebiasis-producing parasite. However, Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba moshkovskii, and Entamoeba bangladeshi are non-pathogenic amoebae morphologically identical to it and, therefore, molecular techniques are required for their differentiation.

Objective:

To determine the frequency of Entamoeba species by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in fecal samples from children under five years with diarrhea from Maracaibo (Venezuela).

Materials and methods:

A fecal sample per individual was collected from 75 children with diarrhea (case group) and 25 children without diarrhea (control group). Stools were evaluated by microscopic examination, formol-ether concentration method, and nested-multiplex PCR in a single round for the identification of E. histolytica, E. dispar, and E. moshkovskii. In addition, a survey was conducted in which demographic data, signs, clinical manifestations, and socioeconomic status were registered.

Results:

In total, 48% of the children (38 from the case group and 10 from the control group) had intestinal parasites. Only four children presented cysts of the Entamoeba complex in their samples (three from the case group and one from the control group). By means of PCR, nine samples (9%) amplified for the studied amoebae. In the case group, three (28.13%) amplified for E. histolytica, four (30.50%) for E. dispar, and one (9.37%) for E. moshkovskii while only one (25%) sample amplified for E. dispar in the control group.

Conclusion:

In general, E. dispar predominated. Nevertheless, all those infected with E. histolytica were detected within the group of children with diarrhea and we reported the first case of E. moshkovskii in the region.

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