Antibodies against Entamoeba histolytica in individuals with intestinal amoebiasis presenting cysts and/or trophozoites in the feces

Carvalho, Maria das Graças; Guimarães, Semíramis; Silva, Edward Felix

doi:10.1590/S0036-46651991000500007

Abstracts

Serum samples were obtained from 154 individuals infected with Entamoeba histolytica (78 symptomatic and 76 asymptomatic). Twelve had trophozoites in the feces whereas 142 had only cysts. The sera were used to test the existence of antibodies anti-Entamoeba histolytica employing the Indirect Hemagglutination (IHA), Indirect Immunofluoresccnce (IFAT), Complement Fixation Reaction (CFR) and Counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP). For those individuals with trophozoites in their feces, 75.0 were positive by IHA and IFAT, 83.0 by CFR and 41.7 by CIEP. In individuals who had only cysts, positive results by the same tests were respectively, 5.6%, 12.0%, 19.0% and 5.6%. The difference in relation to the tilers of antibodies detected through IHA, IFAT, CFR and CIEP and in relation to the presence of trophozoites or cysts in the feces was significative for four immunological reactions when X², was employed (P < 0.05).

Entamoeba histolytica; IHA; IFAT; CFR; CIEP; cysts; trophozoites

Amostras de soros foram obtidas de 154 indivíduos comprovadamente parasitados pela Entamoeba histolytica (78 sintomáticos c 76 assintomáticos). Doze apresentavam trofozoitas nas fezes, enquanto 142 tinham apenas cistos. Os soros foram utilizados para testar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Entamoeba histolytica, empregando-se para tal, Reação de Hemaglutinação Indireta (HAI), Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI), Reação de Fixação de Complemento (RFC) e Contraimunoeletroforese (CIEP). Entre os soros dos indivíduos com trofozoitas em suas fezes, 75,0% foram positivos para HAI e RIFI, 83,3% por RFC, e 41,7% por CIEP. Nos indivíduos que tinham apenas cistos, resultados positivos pelos mesmos testes foram respectivamente, 5,6%; 12,0%; 19,0% c 5,6%. A diferença cm relação aos títulos de anticorpos detectados através de HAI, RIFI, RFC e CIEP e em relação à presença de trofozoitas ou cistos nas fezes foi significativa para as quatro reações imunológicas, quando X² foi empregado (P < 0,05).

SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY

Antibodies against Entamoeba histolytica in individuals with intestinal amoebiasis presenting cysts and/or trophozoites in the feces

Anticorpos anti-Entamoeba histolylica em indivíduos com amebíase intestinal apresentando cistos e/ou trofozoitas nas fezes

Maria das Graças Carvalho^I; Semíramis Guimarães^III; Edward Felix Silva^II

^IDepartment of Clinical and Toxicologycal Analyses, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal Minas Gerais University, MG, Brazil

^IIDepartment of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Science, Federal Minas Gerais University, MG, Brazil

^IIIDepartment of Parasitology, Bioscience Institute, Estadual Paulista University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil

^{Correspondence to} Correspondence to: Dr. Edward Felix Silva Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais CP. 2486 CEP 30161, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil

SUMMARY

Serum samples were obtained from 154 individuals infected with Entamoeba histolytica (78 symptomatic and 76 asymptomatic). Twelve had trophozoites in the feces whereas 142 had only cysts. The sera were used to test the existence of antibodies anti-Entamoeba histolytica employing the Indirect Hemagglutination (IHA), Indirect Immunofluoresccnce (IFAT), Complement Fixation Reaction (CFR) and Counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP). For those individuals with trophozoites in their feces, 75.0 were positive by IHA and IFAT, 83.0 by CFR and 41.7 by CIEP. In individuals who had only cysts, positive results by the same tests were respectively, 5.6%, 12.0%, 19.0% and 5.6%. The difference in relation to the tilers of antibodies detected through IHA, IFAT, CFR and CIEP and in relation to the presence of trophozoites or cysts in the feces was significative for four immunological reactions when X², was employed (P < 0.05).

Key words: Entamoeba histolytica, IHA, IFAT, CFR, CIEP, cysts, trophozoites.

RESUMO

Amostras de soros foram obtidas de 154 indivíduos comprovadamente parasitados pela Entamoeba histolytica (78 sintomáticos c 76 assintomáticos). Doze apresentavam trofozoitas nas fezes, enquanto 142 tinham apenas cistos. Os soros foram utilizados para testar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Entamoeba histolytica, empregando-se para tal, Reação de Hemaglutinação Indireta (HAI), Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI), Reação de Fixação de Complemento (RFC) e Contraimunoeletroforese (CIEP). Entre os soros dos indivíduos com trofozoitas em suas fezes, 75,0% foram positivos para HAI e RIFI, 83,3% por RFC, e 41,7% por CIEP. Nos indivíduos que tinham apenas cistos, resultados positivos pelos mesmos testes foram respectivamente, 5,6%; 12,0%; 19,0% c 5,6%. A diferença cm relação aos títulos de anticorpos detectados através de HAI, RIFI, RFC e CIEP e em relação à presença de trofozoitas ou cistos nas fezes foi significativa para as quatro reações imunológicas, quando X² foi empregado (P < 0,05).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This present work was supported by FAPEMIG, FINEP and CPq/UFMG.

Recebido para publicação em 21/01/1991.

Aceito para publicação em 01/08/1991.

1. AGARWAL, S.S.M; SHARMA, P.; AHMAD, J. & DUTTA, G.P. - Micro-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for serodiagnosis of amoebiasis. Indian J. med. Res., 14: 219-225, 1981.
2. AMBROISE-THOMAS, P. - Immunofluorescence in the diagnosis, therapeutic follow up and Seroepidemiological studies of some parasitic disease. Trans. roy. Soc. trop. Med. Hyg., 10: 107-112, 1971.
3. COUTINHO, J.O. - Notas sobre modificaçőes do MIFC na conservaçăo de fezes para pesquisa de protozoários. Arq. Fac. Hig. S. Paulo, 10: 65, 1956.
4. CRAIG, C.F. - Complement fixation in the diagnosis of infections with Entamoeba histolytica. Amer. J. trop. Med., 8: 29-37, 1928.
5. CUNHA, A.S. - Patogenia da amebíase. Belo Horizonte, 1975. (Tese para Professor Titular - Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais).
6. CUNHA, A.S.; SILVA, E.F.; ARAÚJO, F.G.; COSTA, C.A. da; MELO, S.M. & RASO, P. - Patogenia de amebíase. III. Comportamento de provas sorológicas em pacientes infectados pela Entamoeba histolytica. Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo, 19: 387-392, 1977.
7. DIAMOND, L.S. - Techniques for axenic cultivation of Entamoeba histolytica Schaudinn, 1903 and E. histolytica-like amoebae. J. Parasit., 54: 1047-1056, 1968.
8. FEITOSA, L.F.M. - Aspectos da amebíase intestinal e hepática no Hospital Universitário Getúlio Vargas, Manaus-AM. Belo Horizonte, 1986. (Dissertaçăo de Mestrado - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais).
9. FULTON, J.D. & JOYNER, L.P. - A complement fixation for amoebiasis. J. trop. Med. Hyg., 2: 27-33, 1951.
10. GEIMAN, Q.M. & BECKER, C.E. - In vitro growth and metabolism of E. histolytica. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 56: 1048-1056, 1953.
11. GILMAN, R.H.; DAVIS, C.; GAN, E. & BOLTON, M. - Seroepidemiology of amoebiasis in the Orange Asli (Western Malaysian Aborigines) and others malaysians. Amer. J. trop. Med. Hyg., 25: 663-666, 1976.
12. GOLDMAN, H. - Evaluation of a fluorescent antibody test for amebiasis using two widely differing ameba strains as antigen. Amer. J. trop. Med. Hyg., 15: 694-700, 1966.
13. HEALY, G.R. - Immunologic tools in the diagnosis of amoebiasis epidemiology in the United States. Rev. infect. Dis., 8: 239-246, 1986.
14. HERSKOVIC, P. & ASTORGA, B. - Seroepidemiology de la infeccion por Entamoeba histolytica en Chile. Rev. méd. Chile, 112: 499-502, 1984.
15. KNOBLOCH, J.E.; MANNWEILLER, E.; HOFLER, W. & KERN, P. - Efficiency of serodiagnosis in amoebiasis. Results obtained by four different tests in 13.458 persons with varying exposure. Tropenmed. Parasit., 33: 107-110, 1982.
16. KRUPP, I.M. - Comparison of countraimmunoelectrophoresis with other Serologic tests in the diagnosis of amebiasis. Amer. J. trop. Med. Hyg., 23: 27-30, 1974.
17. LEWIS, W.P. & KESSEL, J.F. - Hemagglutination in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and amebiasis. Arch. Ophthal., 66: 49-54, 1961.
18. LOWRY, O.H.; ROSENBROUGH, N.J.; FARR, A.L. & RANDALL, R.J. - Protein measurement with the Folin reagent. J. biol. Chem., 193: 265-275, 1951.
19. MEEROVITCH, E.; HEALY, G.R. & AMBROISE-THOMAS, P. - Amoebiasis survey in Calcutta (India), Bangkok (Thailand), Medelin (Colombia) and San Jose (Costa Rica). Can. J. publ. Hlth., 69: 286-288, 1978.
20. NEAL, R.A.; ROBINSON, G.L.; LEWIS, W.P. & KESSEL, J.F. - Comparison of clinical observations on patients infected with E. histolytica with serological titer of their sera and virulence of their amoebae to rats. Trans. Roy. Soc. trop. Med. Hyg., 62: 69-75, 1986.
21. PESSÔA, S.B. & MARTINS, A.V. - O complexo "Histolytica". In: PESSÔA, S.B. & MARTINS, A.V. - Parasitologia médica. 11. ed. Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Koogan, 1982. p. 191-199.
22. PRAKASH, O.; SAMA, S.K.; VINA YAK, V.K. & BHALLA, I. - Evaluation of a new hemagglulination antigen for amoebiasis. Amer. J. trop. Med. Hyg., 19: 419-421, 1970.
23. SAMREJRONGROJ, P. & THARAVANIJ, S. - Assessment of validity of counter immunoelectrophoresis and ELISA in the routine diagnosis of amoebiasis. Southeast Asian J. trop. Med. publ. Hlth., 16: 365-370, 1985.
24. SEPULVEDA, B.; AUBANEL, M.; LANDA, L. & VELASQUEZ, G. - Avances en la técnica de countrainmunoelectroforesis para el estudio serológico de la amebiasis. Arch. Invest. med. (Méx.), 3: 363-370, 1972.
25. SEPULVEDA, B.; LEE, E.; DE LA TORRE, M. & LANDA, L. - El diagnóstico serológico de la amibiasis invasora con la técnica de inmunoeletroforesis cruzada. Arch. Invest. med. (Méx.), 2: 263-268, 1971.
26. SILVA, E.F.; CARVALHO, M.G. & BRANDĂO, M.G.L. - Monoxenizaçăo, axenizaçăo e cultivo de amostras de Entamoeba histolytica, isoladas no Brasil de pacientes sintomáticos e assintomáticos. In: CONGRESSO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA, 6ş, Belo Horizonte, 1981. Resumos. p. 18.
27. TOBIE, J.E. - Experimental infection of the rabbit with Entamoeba histolytica. Amer. J. trop. Med., 29: 859-870, 1949.
28. VISVESVARA, G.S.; PERALTA, M.J.; BRANDT, F.H.; WILSON, M.; ALOISIO, C. & FRANKO, E. - Production of monoclonal antibodies to Naegleria fowleri, agent of primary amebic meningoencephalitis. J. clin. Microbiol., 25: 1629-1632, 1987.
²⁹
WHO INFORMAL ON STRATEGIES FOR CONTROL OF AMOEBIASIS. Geneva, 1984.

Correspondence to:

Dr. Edward Felix Silva

Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

CP. 2486

CEP 30161, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil

Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
06 Sept 2006
Date of issue
Oct 1991

History

Accepted
01 Aug 1991
Received
21 Jan 1991

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

[1] 1. AGARWAL, S.S.M; SHARMA, P.; AHMAD, J. & DUTTA, G.P. - Micro-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for serodiagnosis of amoebiasis. Indian J. med. Res., 14: 219-225, 1981.

[2] 2. AMBROISE-THOMAS, P. - Immunofluorescence in the diagnosis, therapeutic follow up and Seroepidemiological studies of some parasitic disease. Trans. roy. Soc. trop. Med. Hyg., 10: 107-112, 1971.

[3] 3. COUTINHO, J.O. - Notas sobre modificaçőes do MIFC na conservaçăo de fezes para pesquisa de protozoários. Arq. Fac. Hig. S. Paulo, 10: 65, 1956.

[4] 4. CRAIG, C.F. - Complement fixation in the diagnosis of infections with Entamoeba histolytica. Amer. J. trop. Med., 8: 29-37, 1928.

[5] 5. CUNHA, A.S. - Patogenia da amebíase. Belo Horizonte, 1975. (Tese para Professor Titular - Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais).

[6] 6. CUNHA, A.S.; SILVA, E.F.; ARAÚJO, F.G.; COSTA, C.A. da; MELO, S.M. & RASO, P. - Patogenia de amebíase. III. Comportamento de provas sorológicas em pacientes infectados pela Entamoeba histolytica. Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo, 19: 387-392, 1977.

[7] 7. DIAMOND, L.S. - Techniques for axenic cultivation of Entamoeba histolytica Schaudinn, 1903 and E. histolytica-like amoebae. J. Parasit., 54: 1047-1056, 1968.

[8] 8. FEITOSA, L.F.M. - Aspectos da amebíase intestinal e hepática no Hospital Universitário Getúlio Vargas, Manaus-AM. Belo Horizonte, 1986. (Dissertaçăo de Mestrado - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais).

[9] 9. FULTON, J.D. & JOYNER, L.P. - A complement fixation for amoebiasis. J. trop. Med. Hyg., 2: 27-33, 1951.

[10] 10. GEIMAN, Q.M. & BECKER, C.E. - In vitro growth and metabolism of E. histolytica. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 56: 1048-1056, 1953.

[11] 11. GILMAN, R.H.; DAVIS, C.; GAN, E. & BOLTON, M. - Seroepidemiology of amoebiasis in the Orange Asli (Western Malaysian Aborigines) and others malaysians. Amer. J. trop. Med. Hyg., 25: 663-666, 1976.

[12] 12. GOLDMAN, H. - Evaluation of a fluorescent antibody test for amebiasis using two widely differing ameba strains as antigen. Amer. J. trop. Med. Hyg., 15: 694-700, 1966.

[13] 13. HEALY, G.R. - Immunologic tools in the diagnosis of amoebiasis epidemiology in the United States. Rev. infect. Dis., 8: 239-246, 1986.

[14] 14. HERSKOVIC, P. & ASTORGA, B. - Seroepidemiology de la infeccion por Entamoeba histolytica en Chile. Rev. méd. Chile, 112: 499-502, 1984.

[15] 15. KNOBLOCH, J.E.; MANNWEILLER, E.; HOFLER, W. & KERN, P. - Efficiency of serodiagnosis in amoebiasis. Results obtained by four different tests in 13.458 persons with varying exposure. Tropenmed. Parasit., 33: 107-110, 1982.

[16] 16. KRUPP, I.M. - Comparison of countraimmunoelectrophoresis with other Serologic tests in the diagnosis of amebiasis. Amer. J. trop. Med. Hyg., 23: 27-30, 1974.

[17] 17. LEWIS, W.P. & KESSEL, J.F. - Hemagglutination in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and amebiasis. Arch. Ophthal., 66: 49-54, 1961.

[18] 18. LOWRY, O.H.; ROSENBROUGH, N.J.; FARR, A.L. & RANDALL, R.J. - Protein measurement with the Folin reagent. J. biol. Chem., 193: 265-275, 1951.

[19] 19. MEEROVITCH, E.; HEALY, G.R. & AMBROISE-THOMAS, P. - Amoebiasis survey in Calcutta (India), Bangkok (Thailand), Medelin (Colombia) and San Jose (Costa Rica). Can. J. publ. Hlth., 69: 286-288, 1978.

[20] 20. NEAL, R.A.; ROBINSON, G.L.; LEWIS, W.P. & KESSEL, J.F. - Comparison of clinical observations on patients infected with E. histolytica with serological titer of their sera and virulence of their amoebae to rats. Trans. Roy. Soc. trop. Med. Hyg., 62: 69-75, 1986.

[21] 21. PESSÔA, S.B. & MARTINS, A.V. - O complexo "Histolytica". In: PESSÔA, S.B. & MARTINS, A.V. - Parasitologia médica. 11. ed. Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Koogan, 1982. p. 191-199.

[22] 22. PRAKASH, O.; SAMA, S.K.; VINA YAK, V.K. & BHALLA, I. - Evaluation of a new hemagglulination antigen for amoebiasis. Amer. J. trop. Med. Hyg., 19: 419-421, 1970.

[23] 23. SAMREJRONGROJ, P. & THARAVANIJ, S. - Assessment of validity of counter immunoelectrophoresis and ELISA in the routine diagnosis of amoebiasis. Southeast Asian J. trop. Med. publ. Hlth., 16: 365-370, 1985.

[24] 24. SEPULVEDA, B.; AUBANEL, M.; LANDA, L. & VELASQUEZ, G. - Avances en la técnica de countrainmunoelectroforesis para el estudio serológico de la amebiasis. Arch. Invest. med. (Méx.), 3: 363-370, 1972.

[25] 25. SEPULVEDA, B.; LEE, E.; DE LA TORRE, M. & LANDA, L. - El diagnóstico serológico de la amibiasis invasora con la técnica de inmunoeletroforesis cruzada. Arch. Invest. med. (Méx.), 2: 263-268, 1971.

[26] 26. SILVA, E.F.; CARVALHO, M.G. & BRANDĂO, M.G.L. - Monoxenizaçăo, axenizaçăo e cultivo de amostras de Entamoeba histolytica, isoladas no Brasil de pacientes sintomáticos e assintomáticos. In: CONGRESSO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA, 6ş, Belo Horizonte, 1981. Resumos. p. 18.

[27] 27. TOBIE, J.E. - Experimental infection of the rabbit with Entamoeba histolytica. Amer. J. trop. Med., 29: 859-870, 1949.

[28] 28. VISVESVARA, G.S.; PERALTA, M.J.; BRANDT, F.H.; WILSON, M.; ALOISIO, C. & FRANKO, E. - Production of monoclonal antibodies to Naegleria fowleri, agent of primary amebic meningoencephalitis. J. clin. Microbiol., 25: 1629-1632, 1987.

[29] ²⁹
WHO INFORMAL ON STRATEGIES FOR CONTROL OF AMOEBIASIS. Geneva, 1984.