Prevelance of Entamoeba histolytica in Baiji province and the effect of Punica granatum rind extract on the parasite in culture

Abstract

The prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica in Baiji area and the effect of Punica granatum rind extract on the parasite growth were studied .Stool samples collected from(118)males and(100)females during June2006-Feb.2007, at Baiji private clinical labs,were examined for E. histolytica using both direct examination and concentration (by zinc sulphate) methods.According to these two methods ,it was found that the total percentage of infection was 61.2% & 70.7% respectively, while in males was 31.2%&35.8% and in females was 30.3% & 34.9%. In children 7-12 years the highest percentage of infection was 17.4% ,it was found also that infection was higher in villages 38.1% than in the city 32.1% and in summer 37.6% than in winter 34.9%. After isolation and successful growing of E. histolytica on Liver Infusion Agar, the effect of different concentrations of aqueous and alcoholic plant extracts of Punica granatum on the parasite was tested .It was found that at certain concentrations of these extracts the parasite was completely inhibited.The tested extracts at IC50 were found to cause a clear reduction in protein, RNA and DNA of the parasite.