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Entamoeba Histolytica and Entamoeba Dispar, the Non-Identical Twins

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The Pathogenic Enteric Protozoa: Giardia, Entamoeba, Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora

Part of the book series: World Class Parasites ((WCPA,volume 8))

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Abstract

Over the past 25 years a fundamental change has taken place in our understanding of amebiasis, through the recognition of Entamoeba dispar as a species that is distinct from Entamoeba histolytica but is morphologically indistinguishable. This change in taxonomy has significant implications for the diagnosis and treatment of infections, as well as for our ability to interpret the earlier literature. The defining characteristic of the two species remains the ability of E. histolytica to cause invasive disease while E. dispar cannot, but the underlying genetic differences between the two that are responsible for this remain to be defined. The ongoing comparative genome sequencing will hopefully shed light on the dichotomy.

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  1. Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK

    C. Graham Clark

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  1. University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

    Charles R. Sterling  & Rodney D. Adam  & 

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Clark, C.G. (2004). Entamoeba Histolytica and Entamoeba Dispar, the Non-Identical Twins. In: Sterling, C.R., Adam, R.D. (eds) The Pathogenic Enteric Protozoa: Giardia, Entamoeba, Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora. World Class Parasites, vol 8. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-7878-1_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-7878-1_2

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