Entamoeba Encystation: New Targets to Prevent the Transmission of Amebiasis

PLoS Pathogens

Shinjiro Hamano¹  Hiroki Yoshida²  Fumika Mi-ichi² 

[1] Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan;Division of Molecular and Cellular Immunoscience, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan

关键词: Trophozoites;    Amebiasis;    Entamoeba histolytica;    Chitin;    Catecholamines;    Parasitic life cycles;    Proteasomes;    Protozoan infections;   

DOI  :  10.1371/journal.ppat.1005845

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: Public Library of Science

【 摘 要 】

Amebiasis is caused by Entamoeba histolytica infection and can produce a broad range of clinical signs, from asymptomatic cases to patients with obvious symptoms. The current epidemiological and clinical statuses of amebiasis make it a serious public health problem worldwide. The Entamoeba life cycle consists of the trophozoite, the causative agent for amebiasis, and the cyst, the form responsible for transmission. These two stages are connected by “encystation” and “excystation.” Hence, developing novel strategies to control encystation and excystation will potentially lead to new measures to block the transmission of amebiasis by interrupting the life cycle of the causative agent. Here, we highlight studies investigating encystation using inhibitory chemicals and categorize them based on the molecules inhibited. We also present a perspective on new strategies to prevent the transmission of amebiasis.

【 授权许可】

CC BY