Abstract

TREJOS-SUAREZ, Juanita  and  CASTANO-OSORIO, Jhon Carlos. Virulence factors of the enteric protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Infect. [online]. 2009, vol.13, n.2, pp.100-110. ISSN 0123-9392.

The enteric protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is a human pathogen that causes widespread morbidity and mortality. It is estimated that 10% of the world’s population is infected with the complex Entamoeba histolytica/ Entamoeba dispar. According to the WHO there are 500 million new infections per year and it is the cause of approximately 70,000 - 100,000 deaths. This parasite has a very elaborate process of invasion, where there are expressed and secreted proteins that allow the parasite to adhere to the epithelium, to degrade extracellular matrix and to penetrate epithelial cells within the mucosa. Numerous studies have been carried out to understand how virulence factors work in diverse areas of biomedical sciences. The studies have proposed diagnostic tests to increase the sensitivity and specificity and to find vaccine candidates, which are an opening way to new therapeutic expectations.

Keywords : amebiasis; Entamoeba histolytica; virulence factors; Protozoa.

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