Is entamoeba histolytica in homosexual men a pathogen?
OBJECTIVE: Entamoeba histolytica occurs frequently among sexually active homosexual men. We tried to evaluate the clinical importance of this protozoa. METHODS: 320 male homosexuals were screened for intestinal parasites. E. histolytica was cultured in Robinson’ medium and positive cultures were classified into zymodemes by means of starch-gel electrophoresis. Serological tests for E. histolytica were done in two different methods (IFAT and Elisa). Each individual was asked for clinical symptoms. RESULTS: 52 out of 320 (16,3%) male homosexuals presented with E. histolytica in their feces. An isoenzyme classification was achieved in 26 patients and all belonged to non-pathogenic zymodemes. This correlated well to negative amebic serology in all subjects. 13 patients presented with diarrhea. In 5 of these 13 diarrhea could be explained by other enteric pathogens; in 8 patients no other pathogen was detected. In HIV-infected persons with inquired immunity no signs of invasive amebiasis we
