Entamoeba histolytica

Below is the article that I came across that I had mentioned above. On the site where I got this article I noticed a rather interesting notation next to the article - Date: December 31, 1969 - I'm assuming that the below is a republication and/or the information was readily available back then but no one did anything with it (obviously). Anyway....


http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/549371

/study_researchers_identify_a_way_to.html?cat=5

Study: Researchers Identify a Way to Control a Dangerous Human Parasite (Entamoeba Histolytica)

By R.B., published Jan 18, 2008

According to a new study, published in the journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) Pathogens have found a mechanism to control the dangerous pathogen Entamoeba histolytica.

Experts agree that around 100,000 people are killed by Entamoeba histolytica every year on a global basis. This parasite is able to infect humans and produce colitis (colon inflammation). However, this parasite utilized a strategy of colonization based on killing all immune cells within seconds of penetrating the host.

Researchers from the University of Virginia, led by William A. Petri, from the Department of Pathology, have been studying colitis cases cause by Entamoeba histolytica in children when they found the mechanism described above. Ion fact, this parasite kills all immune cells from the colon once it gets there but, interestingly, the parasite is able to "hide" its action by somehow "erasing" the evidence of the cells that were killed.

Dr. Petri´s group thought that if those "cell corpses" could be seen and identified somehow it would be possible to design a defense strategy against the infection.

After long studies on this parasite and its mechanism of action, the researchers were able to identify a specific enzyme, known as kinase that is present in the cell surface of the amoeba. The specific name of the kinase is PATMK kinase.

Using the advanced technology of RNA interference, researcher were able to find, identify and characterize the PATMK kinase.

The study mentions that by being able to identify this enzyme a strategy for blocking the infection can be developed. In fact, Dr. Petri and colleagues believe that blocking the PATMK kinase in the key to stop and control the Entamoeba histolytica infection.

What happens is that by blocking this specific kinase on the amoeba cell, the Entamoeba histolytica is not able to hide the "dead cell corpses" so the human gut can sense that something wrong is going on an can start a set of defense mechanism against the amoeba.

The study is one of the first to show a possible mechanism by which the amoeba infection can be controlled. In addition, this could be the start of a program to develop a successful vaccine against this dangerous pathogen.. The study mentioned that preliminary studies in mice have shown the possibility of developing such vaccine against Entamoeba histolytica.

Amoeba infection usually carries the following symptoms: fulminating dysentery, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Liver abscess is usually a common consequence of the amoeba infection spreading through the human body. This liver abscess can be fatal if untreated.
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