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Pathogenic and non-pathogenic Entamoeba: pore formation and hemolytic activity
1Abteilung Mikrobiologie, Universität Osnabrück, Federal Republic of Germany.
The Journal of Protozoology
|August 1, 1988
Summary
Pore-forming and red blood cell lysis activities were high in pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica but low in non-pathogenic species. These activities may be necessary but not sufficient for virulence.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Entamoeba species exhibit varying degrees of pathogenicity.
- Cytotoxic activities, including pore formation and hemolysis, are implicated in parasitic virulence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate pore-forming and hemolytic activities in different Entamoeba species.
- To determine the relationship between these activities and parasite virulence.
- To characterize the hemolytic activity in Entamoeba histolytica.
Main Methods:
- Assessing pore-forming activity in lipid bilayers and liposomes.
- Measuring the capacity of Entamoeba trophozoites and fractions to lyse human red blood cells (hrbc).
- Analyzing the subcellular distribution and inhibitor/activator sensitivity of hemolytic activity.
Main Results:
- Pore-forming and hemolytic activities were high in pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica strains.
- These activities were low in non-pathogenic Entamoeba species, including Entamoeba histolytica-like amebas, Entamoeba invadens, and Entamoeba moshkovskii.
- Hemolytic activity in E. histolytica showed distinct characteristics compared to other cytotoxic activities.
Conclusions:
- Pore formation and hemolysis are likely necessary but not sufficient for Entamoeba virulence.
- An additional cytotoxic factor in Entamoeba histolytica may be involved in pathogenicity.