Among the Entamoeba species that infect humans, Entamoeba histolytica causes diseases, Entamoeba dispar is a harmless commensal, Entamoeba moshkovskii seems to be a pathogen, and the pathogenicity of Entamoeba bangladeshi remains to be investigated. Species-specific detection needed for treatment decisions and for understanding the epidemiology and pathogenicity of these amebae. Antigen-based detection methods are needed for E dispar, E moshkovskii, and E bangladeshi; and molecular diagnostic test capable of detecting E histolytica, E dispar, E moshkovskii, and E bangladeshi simultaneously in clinical samples. Next-generation sequencing of DNA from stool is needed to identify novel species of Entamoeba.
Keywords: Amebiasis laboratory diagnosis; Antigen detection; Entamoeba Bangladeshi; Entamoeba dispar; Entamoeba histolytica; Entamoeba moshkovskii; Molecular detection; Serology.
Published by Elsevier Inc.