[Phagocytosis of human erythrocytes by Entamoeba histolytica. Quantitative study]

The degree of eythrophagocytosis of two recently isolated strains of E. histolytica was measured by microscopic examination. Amebas isolated from a patient with amebic rectocolitis (strain HM22:IMSS, monoxenic) ingested human red blood cells faster and in larger numbers than trophozoites isolated from an asymptomatic carrier (HM27:IMSS, monoxenic). The results suggest that an increased rate of phagocytosis could be one of the surface properties characteristic of the invasive strains of E. histolytica.