Pathogenicity and virulence of Entamoeba histolytica, the agent of amoebiasis
ABSTRACTThe amoeba parasite Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of human amebiasis, an enteropathic disease affecting millions of people worldwide. This ancient protozoan is an elementary example of how parasites evolve with humans, e.g. taking advantage of multiple mechanisms to evade immu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Virulence |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21505594.2022.2158656 |
| _version_ | 1797367150807089152 |
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| author | Nancy Guillén |
| author_facet | Nancy Guillén |
| author_sort | Nancy Guillén |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACTThe amoeba parasite Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of human amebiasis, an enteropathic disease affecting millions of people worldwide. This ancient protozoan is an elementary example of how parasites evolve with humans, e.g. taking advantage of multiple mechanisms to evade immune responses, interacting with microbiota for nutritional and protective needs, utilizing host resources for growth, division, and encystation. These skills of E. histolytica perpetuate the species and incidence of infection. However, in 10% of infected cases, the parasite turns into a pathogen; the host-parasite equilibrium is then disorganized, and the simple lifecycle based on two cell forms, trophozoites and cysts, becomes unbalanced. Trophozoites acquire a virulent phenotype which, when non-controlled, leads to intestinal invasion with the onset of amoebiasis symptoms. Virulent E. histolytica must cross mucus, epithelium, connective tissue and possibly blood. This highly mobile parasite faces various stresses and a powerful host immune response, with oxidative stress being a challenge for its survival. New emerging research avenues and omics technologies target gene regulation to determine human or parasitic factors activated upon infection, their role in virulence activation, and in pathogenesis; this research bears in mind that E. histolytica is a resident of the complex intestinal ecosystem. The goal is to eradicate amoebiasis from the planet, but the parasitic life of E. histolytica is ancient and complex and will likely continue to evolve with humans. Advances in these topics are summarized here. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T17:14:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cca67074de284fd88ac61cfd72ac457e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2150-5594 2150-5608 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T17:14:13Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Virulence |
| spelling | doaj.art-cca67074de284fd88ac61cfd72ac457e2024-01-03T17:26:57ZengTaylor & Francis GroupVirulence2150-55942150-56082023-12-0114110.1080/21505594.2022.2158656Pathogenicity and virulence of Entamoeba histolytica, the agent of amoebiasisNancy Guillén0Cell Biology and Infection Department, Institut Pasteur and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS-ERM9195, Paris, FranceABSTRACTThe amoeba parasite Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of human amebiasis, an enteropathic disease affecting millions of people worldwide. This ancient protozoan is an elementary example of how parasites evolve with humans, e.g. taking advantage of multiple mechanisms to evade immune responses, interacting with microbiota for nutritional and protective needs, utilizing host resources for growth, division, and encystation. These skills of E. histolytica perpetuate the species and incidence of infection. However, in 10% of infected cases, the parasite turns into a pathogen; the host-parasite equilibrium is then disorganized, and the simple lifecycle based on two cell forms, trophozoites and cysts, becomes unbalanced. Trophozoites acquire a virulent phenotype which, when non-controlled, leads to intestinal invasion with the onset of amoebiasis symptoms. Virulent E. histolytica must cross mucus, epithelium, connective tissue and possibly blood. This highly mobile parasite faces various stresses and a powerful host immune response, with oxidative stress being a challenge for its survival. New emerging research avenues and omics technologies target gene regulation to determine human or parasitic factors activated upon infection, their role in virulence activation, and in pathogenesis; this research bears in mind that E. histolytica is a resident of the complex intestinal ecosystem. The goal is to eradicate amoebiasis from the planet, but the parasitic life of E. histolytica is ancient and complex and will likely continue to evolve with humans. Advances in these topics are summarized here.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21505594.2022.2158656Entamoebalifecyclestress responsesvirulencepathogenesis |
| spellingShingle | Nancy Guillén Pathogenicity and virulence of Entamoeba histolytica, the agent of amoebiasis Virulence Entamoeba lifecycle stress responses virulence pathogenesis |
| title | Pathogenicity and virulence of Entamoeba histolytica, the agent of amoebiasis |
| title_full | Pathogenicity and virulence of Entamoeba histolytica, the agent of amoebiasis |
| title_fullStr | Pathogenicity and virulence of Entamoeba histolytica, the agent of amoebiasis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pathogenicity and virulence of Entamoeba histolytica, the agent of amoebiasis |
| title_short | Pathogenicity and virulence of Entamoeba histolytica, the agent of amoebiasis |
| title_sort | pathogenicity and virulence of entamoeba histolytica the agent of amoebiasis |
| topic | Entamoeba lifecycle stress responses virulence pathogenesis |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21505594.2022.2158656 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nancyguillen pathogenicityandvirulenceofentamoebahistolyticatheagentofamoebiasis |