PROGRESS TOWARDS AN AMEBIASIS VACCINE

Amebiasis (infection by Entamoeba histolytica) remains a major health problem in much of the developing world. Morbidity and mortality from amebic dysentery and amebic liver abscess have persisted despite the a vailability of effective anti-amebic therapy, suggesting a need for al ter native measures of disease control. Through the application of rec ombinant DNA technology, several E. histolytica antigens have now been expressed in prokaryotic systems and tested in animal models as vacci nes to prevent invasive amebiasis. In this review, Sam Stanley Jr disc usses why a vaccine for amebiasis may be feasible, and describes the r ecent development of several promising recombinant E. histolytica anti gen-based parenteral and oral vaccine candidates.