Entamoeba histolytica: Rapid detection of Indian isolates by cysteine proteinase gene-specific polymerase chain reaction

Amoebiasis, caused by Entamoeba histolytica, is still one of the major prob lems for developing countries like India. Early detection of the parasite i s a must for its prevention and control. In this study, PCR analysis of the cysteine proteinase gene from clinical isolates of symptomatic intestinal and amoebic liver abscess (ALA) cases has been compared with the stool micr oscopy, serology, and ultrasonography methods. The clinical isolates negati ve for E. histolytica by stool microscopy demonstrated the presence of the cysteine proteinase gene by PCR amplification. Also the gene copy number wa s increased in ALA samples compared with intestinal cases. Hence an accurat e, early, and easier detection was possible by cysteine proteinase gene amp lification directly from the clinical samples. (C) 2000 Academic Press.