Conventional Microscopy Versus Molecular and Immunological Methods in the Diagnosis of Amoebiasis

Author(s):

Ramana KV, Kranti PG

Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of intestinal amoebiasis affects more than 50 million people worldwide. Amoebiasis is considered to be the most common parasitic infection particularly in the tropics and subtropics.[1] It is the second leading cause of the death from parasitic diseases worldwide.[2] Humans are the primary reservoir and infection happens to be by ingestion of mature quadriâÂÃ?Â?ÂÃ?Â?nucleate cyst through contaminated food and water.[3] Treatment and management of infection with E. histolytica has been considerably affected since 90% of the infected individuals remain asymptomatic. Clinical diagnosis of amoebiasis also remains elusive in most of the cases due to contrasting illness course in different communities, varied clinical presentations and unavailability of infrastructures in the developing countries.