Abstract:

Aim: The spectrum of clinical intestinal disease due to Entamoeba histolytica infection ranges from an asymptomatic carrier state to fulminant colitis with an array of manifestations. The extent of strain diversity for E. histolytica and the extent to which strains differ in virulence are not clearly known. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of E. histolytica isolates from Turkey. Materials and Methods: In order to study genetic diversity, the serine-rich gene of E. histolytica (SREHP) was investigated in 26 clinical isolates from Turkey by nested PCR amplification and restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Results: Twelve distinct DNA patterns were observed after AluI digestion of nested PCR products. The results demonstrate an extensive genetic variability among Turkish E. histolytica clinical isolates. Conclusions: Genotyping seems to be a useful epidemiologic tool to identify common-source outbreaks as well as strain-specific manifestation of an infection.

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