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Updated: Jan 2, 2026
Analysis of the Epithelial Damage Produced by Entamoeba histolytica Infection
Published on: June 12, 2014
EFFECT OF LACTOBACILLUS POSTBIOTICS ON ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA TROPHOZOITES
Fabiola L Cuellar-Guevara1, María P Barrón-González1, Jorge L Menchaca-Arredondo1
1Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Nuevo León, México.
Background:
Amebiasis is an infectious disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica. It represents one of the three worldwide leading causes of death by parasites and a public health problem due to its frequency, morbidity, mortality, and easy dispersion.
Objective:
The study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro effect of Lactobacillus spp. postbiotics on E. histolytica trophozoites (HM1-IMSS strain) and to determine morphometric changes in trophozoite membrane by atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Methods:
Bioassays on trophozoites were conducted with lyophilized postbiotics at 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mg/mL concentrations, and trophozoite samples were obtained for AFM analysis.
Results:
Results indicated postbiotic inhibitory activity; the highest percentage inhibition was 89.63% at 0.5 mg/mL. Trophozoites nanomechanical analysis showed 28.32% increase in ruggedness and 56% decrease in size with treatments compared to the control.
Conclusion:
Our study showed that the synergy of Lactobacillus postbiotics inhibited E. histolytica HM1-IMSS in vitro growth under axenic conditions, inducing morphometric alterations in trophozoites' cell membrane. These results would allow designing strategies or treatments aimed at E. histolytica control in the future.
