Korean J Parasitol.  2014 Aug;52(4):429-433. 10.3347/kjp.2014.52.4.429.

The MAK16 Gene of Entamoeba histolytica and Its Identification in Isolates from Patients

• Crisostomo-Vazquez MdP
• Marevelez-Acosta VA
• Flores-Luna A
• Jimenez-Cardoso E

• KMID: 1792205
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2014.52.4.429

Abstract

To identify sequences of Entamoeba histolytica associated with the development of amebic liver abscess (ALA) in hamsters, subtractive hybridization of cDNA from E. histolytica HM-1:IMSS under 2 growth conditions was performed: 1) cultured in axenic medium and 2) isolated from experimental ALA in hamsters. For this procedure, 6 sequences were obtained. Of these sequences, the mak16 gene was selected for amplification in 29 cultures of E. histolytica isolated from the feces of 10 patients with intestinal symptoms and 19 asymptomatic patients. Only 5 of the 10 isolates obtained from symptomatic patients developed ALA and amplified the mak16 gene, whereas the 19 isolates from asymptomatic patients did not amplify the mak16 gene nor did they develop ALA. Based on the results of Fisher's exact test (P<0.001), an association was inferred between the presence of the mak16 gene of E. histolytica and the ability to develop ALA in hamsters and with the patient's symptoms (P=0.02). The amplification of the mak16 gene suggests that it is an important gene in E. histolytica because it was present in the isolates from hamsters that developed liver damage.

Keyword

Entamoeba histolytica; subtraction hybridization; mak16 gene; amebic liver abscess

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Animals
Cricetinae
Entamoeba histolytica/*genetics
Gene Expression
*Genes, Protozoan
Genetic Association Studies
Humans
Liver Abscess, Amebic/*genetics/*parasitology
Male
Virulence Factors/*genetics
Young Adult
Virulence Factors