RESUMEN
Amebiasis is one of the twenty major causes of disease in Mexico; however, the diagnosis is difficult due to limitations of conventional microscopy-based techniques. In this study, we analyzed stool samples using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) to differentiate between Entamoeba histolytica (pathogenic) and E. dispar (non-pathogenic). The target for the PCR amplification was a small region (228 bp) of the adh112 gene selected to increase the sensitivity of the test. The study involved 62 stool samples that were collected from individuals with complaints of gastrointestinal discomfort. Of the 62 samples, 10 (16.1%) were positive for E. histolytica while 52 (83.9%) were negative. No sample was positive for E. dispar. These results were validated by nested PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) and suggest that PCR-DGGE is a promising tool to differentiate among Entamoeba infections, contributing to determine the specific treatment for patients infected with E. histolytica, and therefore, avoiding unnecessary treatment of patients infected with the non-pathogenic E. dispar.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Electroforesis en Gel de Gradiente Desnaturalizante/métodos , Entamoeba histolytica/genética , Entamoeba histolytica/aislamiento & purificación , Entamoeba/genética , Entamoeba/aislamiento & purificación , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/métodos , ADN Protozoario/genética , Entamebiasis/parasitología , Polimorfismo de Longitud del Fragmento de Restricción , Reproducibilidad de los ResultadosRESUMEN
El término neurocisticercosis hace referencia a la invasión del neuroeje por la forma larvaria de la Taenia solium. Constituye la parasitosis más frecuente del sistema nervioso central. Actualmente se presenta como una enfermedad emergente en nuestro medio, en relación con el aumento de la inmigración procedente de áreas endémicas, por lo que debería considerarse dentro del diagnóstico diferencial ante un paciente con clínica y antecedentes epidemiológicos compatibles. A pesar de tratarse de una enfermedad de elevada prevalencia mundial, no existe consenso sobre su manejo terapéutico. Se presenta el caso de un varón de 13 años, procedente de Ecuador, que acude a nuestro centro tras presentar un episodio de crisis convulsiva generalizada(AU)
The term neurocysticercosis refers to the invasion of the neuroaxis by the larval form of Taenia solium. It is the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system. It is currently an emerging disease in our general population as a result of the increased immigration from endemic areas. Thus, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with compatible clinical and epidemiological histories. Despite the fact that this disease is highly prevalent worldwide, there is no consensus concerning its therapeutic management. We present the case of a 13-year-old boy from Ecuador who was brought to our hospital after a generalized seizure(AU)