Aim of the study: This study was undertaken to detect the major virulence factors of the intestinal parasite E.histolytica by using PCR technique, and to study the prevalence of this parasite in Al-Diwanyia Governorate.
Patients and method: Stool samples were collected from one hundred eighty- six patients suffering from acute diarrhea, 146 of them had bloody diarrhea. Their ages vary from one to seventy six years old at the period between (December 2011 and June 2012). Microscopic examination with wet mount and concentration method as general stool examination (GSE) were done to all samples, ELISA assay and PCR were done to all samples.
Result: the results showed that 126 samples out of 186 were microscopically positive for E.histolytica. To detect the antigens of E.histolytica from stool, ELISA assay was done for all samples, 89 samples out of 186 were positive. To detect the major virulence factors (V.F.) (lectin, cysteine proteinase, and amoebapore) of E.histolytica, PCR technique was conducted, by using specific primers for E.histolytica, the results showed that 62 samples out of 186 were positive, out of these positive samples, there were 55 samples positive for lectin, 58 samples were positive for amoebapore, and all samples (62) were positive for cysteine proteinase.
Conclusion: the study show that PCR technique and ELISA assay are much specific and sensitive more than microscopic examination for detecting E.histolytica and distinct from non pathogen species.
