Culture of Entamoeba histolytica in Vitro And The Role of Starch On Its Growth

Abstract

The present study has been carried out during the period from November 2012 to February 2013. Two methods were used for diagnosing E. histolytica. Two hundred and two stool samples were collected from children in Baquba city and examined. The overall rate of infection with E. histolytica was 50.4 %. The highest rate of infection (46.5%) was in the age group less five years while the lowest rate (3.9%) in the age group of five or more years. There was no significant difference between the infection rate among males and females (25.7% and 24.7% in males and females, respectively). The high prevalence was in people who use the river water as a source of drinking water (43.5%) while the prevalence was lower in people who use well water. The infection rate in rural areas (26.7%) was relatively higher than in the urban areas (23.7%). The parasite was cultivated in the LEM media. Three different concentrations of starch were used in the solid phase of this medium to test the role of starch in the growth of the parasite. Entamoeb histolytica was isolated from patients infected with the parasite. Growth was observed after 48-72 of incubation at 37 C. The growth increased throughout the period of the study. It has been observed that the presence of bacteria does not affect the growth, but the presence of fungi kills the amoeba. It was also observed that increasing the concentrations of starch enhanced the growth of the amoeba and may be due to the fact that starch is a good nutrient source.