Abstract

RIVERO RODRIGUEZ, ZULBEY et al. PREVALENCE OF Entamoeba spp. COMPLEX IN CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS IN SEVERAL MUNICIPALITIES IN ZULIA STATE, VENEZUELA  . Saber [online]. 2016, vol.28, n.1, pp.30-39. ISSN 2343-6468.

Currently, the correct way to report the presence of evolutionary forms compatible with Entamoeba histolytica, based on faecal microscopic examination, is the complex Entamoeba spp., since it is not possible to distinguish morphologically among its members (E. histolytica, E. dispar and E. moshkovskii). To determine the prevalence of this complex, one faecal sample was obtained from 302 individuals, male or female, between 0 and 19 years of age in seven municipalities of Zulia state, Venezuela. Faecal samples were processed by in situ coproparasitological examination, and then all samples were subjected to the concentration method with formalin-ether (Ritchie). An estimate of 74.2% (224/302) of individuals examined were parasitized. Multiparasitism was prevalent (85.8%) but protozoan/chromistas infections predominate over helminths. Sixty nine individuals (22.8%) showed evolutionary forms compatible with the complex Entamoeba spp. A predominance of cystic forms in the studied samples was observed in 50/69 (72.5%) individuals, 15 of them had both cysts and trophozoites (21.7%). Trophozoites were only detected in four individuals (5.8%), including hematophagous trophozoites typical of E. histolytica in one individual. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of Entamoeba complex based on sex or age (p > 0.05); although the highest percentage of cases was detected between 2 and 14 years. Endolimax nana and Entamoeba coli were the microorganisms significantly associated to Entamoeba spp. complex. We conclude that infection by members of the complex Entamoeba spp. is endemic in children and teenagers of diverse communities of Zulia state.  

Keywords : Entamoeba histolytica; Entamoeba dispar; Entamoeba moshkovskii; intestinal parasites.

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