The key difference between Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar is that Entamoeba histolytica is an amoebozoan in the genus of Entamoeba that has the potential to cause dysentery and extra-intestinal disease, while Entamoeba dispar is an amoebozoan in the genus of Entamoeba that is considered to be a harmless commensal.
Entamoeba is a genus of Amoebozoa, which is found as intestinal parasites or commensals of animals. These parasites were first found in 1875 by Fedor Losch with the help of a case of amoebic dysentery in St. Petersburg, Russia. Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar are two species that belong to the genus of Entamoeba.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Entamoeba Histolytica
3. What is Entamoeba Dispar
4. Similarities – Entamoeba Histolytica and Entamoeba Dispar
5. Entamoeba Histolytica vs Entamoeba Dispar in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Entamoeba Histolytica vs Entamoeba Dispar
What is Entamoeba Histolytica?
Entamoeba histolytica is an amoebozoan in the genus of Entamoeba that has the potential to cause dysentery and extra-intestinal disease. It is an anaerobic parasitic amoebozoan. It is one of the pathogenic species of the genus Entamoeba. Entamoeba histolytica predominately infects humans and other primates and causes amoebiasis. Moreover, it is estimated to infect approximately 35 to 50 million people worldwide. The symptoms of amoebiasis may include lethargy, loss of weight, colonic ulceration, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or bloody diarrhoea. Its complications include inflammation and ulceration of the colon with tissue death or perforation that may lead to peritonitis. Anemia is another complication that may develop due to prolonged gastric bleeding.
Figure 01: Entamoeba Histolytica
E. histolytica is generally estimated to kill more than 55,000 people each year throughout the world. Mammals like dogs and cats can also be infected transiently with this amoebozoan. However, they are not thought to contribute to transmission to other mammals significantly. Poor sanitation is known to increase the risk of contracting ameobiasis of Entamoeba histolytica. Diagnosis of ameobiasis is normally performed by microscopic examination for trophozoites or cysts in fresh or suitably preserved faecal specimens. Ameobiasis can also be detected through stool antigen detection and PCT tests. Furthermore, the treatments for the infection of E. histolytica may include medications such as nitroimidazole, chloroquine, paromomycin, diloxanide furoate, and iodoquinol
What is Entamoeba Dispar?
Entamoeba dispar is an amoebozoan in the genus of Entamoeba and is considered to be a harmless commensal. Therefore, it is generally a non-pathogenic species of this genus. Entamoeba dispar is morphologically very similar to Entamoeba histolytica. The similarities between Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar make the latter an attractive biological model for studies aimed at clarifying the pathogenesis of ameobiasis.
Despite being an experimental model, the details of E. dispar remain poorly understood. In 1990, according to some research studies, it was believed that E. dispar was unable to produce significant experimental lesions. Thus, it was classified as non-pathogenic. But this scenario began to change in 1996 due to extensive research because E. dispar strains were identified in symptomatic patients in Brazil. Now it is believed that Entamoeba dispar can sometimes cause liver and intestinal lesions in the presence of bacteria such Salmonella typhimurium.
What are the Similarities Between Entamoeba Histolytica and Entamoeba Dispar?
- Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar are two species belonging to the genus Entamoeba.
- Both species can be identified in the gastrointestinal tract.
- They are single-celled organisms.
- Both species are morphologically similar.
- In rare cases, both species can cause liver and intestinal lesions.
What is the Difference Between Entamoeba Histolytica and Entamoeba Dispar?
Entamoeba histolytica is an amoebozoan in the genus of Entamoeba that has the potential to cause dysentery and extra-intestinal disease, while Entamoeba dispar is an amoebozoan in the genus of Entamoeba that is considered to be a harmless commensal. Thus, this is the key difference between Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar. Furthermore, the genome size of Entamoeba histolytica is 20,800,560 base pairs, while the genome size of Entamoeba dispar is 22,955,291 base pairs.
The below infographic presents the differences between Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Entamoeba Histolytica vs Entamoeba Dispar
Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar are two species belonging to the genus Entamoeba. They are single-celled organisms. Entamoeba histolytica has the potential to cause dysentery and extra-intestinal disease, while Entamoeba dispar is considered to be harmless commensal. So, this is the key difference between Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar.
Reference:
1. Kantor, Micaella, et al. “Entamoeba Histolytica: Updates in Clinical Manifestation, Pathogenesis, and Vaccine Development.” Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Hindawi.
2. “Entamoeba Dispar.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Entamoeba histolytica” By Stefan Walkowski – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia