Author/Authors :
Ferreira-Filho, Sebastião Rodrigues Federal University of Uberlandia - Faculty of Medicine, Brazil , Braga, Fabiola Corrêa da Costa Federal University of Uberlandia - Faculty of Biological Sciences, Uberlandia, Brazil , Sa, Danilo Martins de Federal University of Uberlandia - Faculty of Medicine, Brazil , Nunes, Evandro Batista Federal University of Uberlandia - Faculty of Medicine, Brazil , Soares, Juliana Santos Parreira Federal University of Uberlandia - Faculty of Medicine, Brazil , Padovese, Silvia Mamprim Federal University of Uberlandia - Faculty of Medicine, Brazil , Oliveira, Andreia Camara de Federal University of Uberlandia - Faculty of Medicine, Brazil , Oliveira, Gredista Maria Ferreira Federal University of Uberlandia - Faculty of Medicine, Brazil , Passos, Gilberto dos Nefroclínica - Clinical Research Unit, Brazil , Pereira, Hélton Nefroclínica - Clinical Research Unit, Brazil
Abstract :
To determine the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar (Eh/Ed) in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients,we collected 330 samples of feces from 110 patients,and nine individuals were found to be positive for Eh/Ed. We compared the infected patients with a group of 14 uninfected HD patients. Both groups were analyzed for their signs,symptoms and socio-economic characteristics using questionnaires. Blood tests were also performed in both the groups. Although both groups did not differ statistically with respect to their signs,symptoms and socio-economic conditions, there was a trend toward a greater number of individuals with diarrhea in the Eh/Ed infected group. In conclusion,we suggest that a parasitological examination of the patient s stool to detect the Eh/Ed complex should be included with the routine tests so that those patients with a positive fecal test could be initiated on appropriate anti-Eh/Ed therapy.
