Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (E. histolytica/dispar) are intestinal protozoan parasites that are transferred via the faecal–oral route and infect up to 10 % of the human population. Entamoeba infections are most common in the developing world and are associated with poor sanitation where the Entamoeba cysts are transmitted from contaminated food and water. After ingestion trophozoites the Entamoeba vegetative form are released from their cyst capsules into the small intestine. Trophozoites which survive strictly in the host intestine and fresh stool migrate to the large intestine where they live and multiply by binary fission. Trophozoites of E. dispar are noninvasive and reside in the intestine while those of E. histolytica can invade the intestinal mucosa causing human amoebiasis. Symptoms of amoebiasis can range from mild diarrhea to dysentery with blood and mucus in the stool. While most E. histolytica infected people remain asymptomatic, without proper treatment, this disease can lead to severe complications, including abscess of vital organs, most commonly in the liver, and in some cases in the lungs, and the brain. It is estimated that E. histolytica, represents 10% of human Entamoeba infections which cause the death of between 40,000 to 100,000 people every year. It is, therefore, important to diagnose the infection and provide appropriate treatment. The most common treatment for amoebiasis is the administration of antibiotics, such as metronidazole and tinidazole.
Savyon’s CoproELISA Entamoeba test is an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for detection of Entamoeba antigens in unpreserved human fecal specimens collected from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. The test can be used for fecal specimens submitted for routine clinical testing from adults or children.