Recent developments in amoebiasis: the Gal/GalNAc lectins of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar

Amoebiasis is responsible for 50 000-100 000 deaths annually. Invasive amoe bic disease begins with the attachment of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoite s to colonic mucin, a process mediated by the amoebic Gal/GalNAc lectin. Th e non-pathogenic counterpart, E. dispar, is morphologically identical but g enetically distinct. Investigations comparing the Gal/GalNac lectin from th ese two organisms are under way. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medical es Elsevier SAS.