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Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Discovery of New Intracellular Pathogens by Amoebal Coculture and Amoebal Enrichment Approaches

Discovery of New Intracellular Pathogens by Amoebal Coculture and Amoebal Enrichment Approaches

Published on: October 27, 2013

Insight into cross-talk between intra-amoebal pathogens.

Gregory Gimenez¹, Claire Bertelli, Claire Moliner

¹Unité des rickettsies, Faculté de Médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France.

|November 4, 2011

Summary

Genetic exchanges occur between amoeba-resistant bacteria, such as Legionella drancourtii and Parachlamydia acanthamoebae. These horizontal gene transfers (HGTs) within amoebal hosts shape bacterial evolution and lifestyle.

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Last Updated: May 28, 2026

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Analysis of the Epithelial Damage Produced by Entamoeba histolytica Infection

Analysis of the Epithelial Damage Produced by Entamoeba histolytica Infection

Published on: June 12, 2014

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Genomics
Evolutionary Biology

Background:

Amoebae host various bacteria, some of which are pathogens.
These amoeba-resistant bacteria often possess larger genomes due to gene exchange, unlike human pathogens.
Intracellular bacteria within amoebae are subject to unique evolutionary pressures.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate genetic exchange between amoeba-resistant bacteria.
To compare the genomes of Legionella drancourtii and Parachlamydia acanthamoebae.
To identify instances of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) within amoebal pathogens.

Main Methods:

Genome sequencing of Legionella drancourtii.
Comparative genomic analysis with Parachlamydia acanthamoebae.
Phylogenetic reconstruction to identify HGTs.

Main Results:

Seven potential horizontal gene transfers (HGTs) were identified between L. drancourtii and P. acanthamoebae.
Evidence suggests gene exchange between Legionellales and Chlamydiales orders, and potentially with Rickettsiales.
A complete operon for an ABC-type transporter was found to be transferred.

Conclusions:

Numerous gene exchanges occur between intracellular Legionellales and Chlamydiales bacteria.
These exchanges likely happen within the shared amoebal host environment.
This study enhances understanding of intra-amoebal gene properties and bacterial lifestyle adaptation.