Entamoeba histolyticaentamoeba dispar infection in chronic hemodialysis patients

Abstract EN

To determine the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica / E.

dispar (Eh / Ed) in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients, we collected 330 samples of feces from 110 patients, and nine individuals were found to be positive for Eh / Ed.

We compared the infected patients with a group of 14 uninfected HD patients.

Both groups were analyzed for their signs, symptoms and socio-economic characteristics using questionnaires.

Blood tests were also performed in both the groups.

Although both groups did not differ statistically with respect to their signs, symptoms and socio-economic conditions, there was a trend toward a greater number of individuals with diarrhea in the Eh / Edinfected group.

In conclusion, we suggest that a parasitological examination of the patient’s stool to detect the Eh / Ed complex should be included with the routine tests so that those patients with a positive fecal test could be initiated on appropriate anti-Eh / Ed therapy.