       Document 2937
 DOCN  M94A2937
 TI    Pathogenicity of Entamoeba histolytica in Japanese male homosexual
       population.
 DT    9412
 AU    Takeuchi T; Kobayashi S; Okusawa E; Tachibana H; Takada S; Ohtomo H;
       Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, School of; Medicine,
       Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):190 (abstract no. PB0189). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94369638
 AB    OBJECTIVE: In contrast to Western countries, there have been many cases
       with invasive sexually transmitted amebiasis in Japan. This study was
       attempted to delineate its epidemiological characteristics and clarify
       the pathogenicity of the ameba isolates from Japanese homosexual
       population. METHODS: The epidemiological aspects were assessed through
       questionnaire to more than 1,500 hospitals in Japan. Zymodemes of the
       ameba isolates were determined by Sargeaunt's method. Serologic
       examination was done by the GDP, IFA and ELISA. Reactivity to monoclonal
       antibodies was examined by IFA. Sera from homosexual men were collected
       by the courtesy of Drs. M. Mizokami (Nagoya City Univ), S. Isomura
       (Nagoya Univ) and J. Matsuda (Teikyo Univ). RESULTS: During 13 years
       from 1980, we have had more than 150 Japanese male homosexuals with
       invasive amebiasis. Seroepidemiological study showed that Japanese male
       homosexual population was highly seropositive against amebic infection,
       e.g., 4 to 20% by ELISA. All of the ameba isolates from the symptomatic
       individuals were of pathogenic zymodemes. Of interest was zymodeme XIV
       and XIX were frequently detected in addition of zymodeme 11. Moreover,
       the ameba isolates readily reacted to MAb 4G6, which is pathogenic
       isolate-specific, as tested by IFA. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These
       findings suggest that in contrast to the epidemiology in Western
       countries, pathogenic E. histolytica is spread among Japanese homosexual
       men, which appears to be responsible for the occurrence of a large
       number of cases with invasive sexually transmitted amebiasis.
 DE    Animal  Antibodies, Protozoan/ANALYSIS  AIDS-Related Opportunistic
       Infections/IMMUNOLOGY/*PARASITOLOGY/  TRANSMISSION  Entamoeba
       histolytica/IMMUNOLOGY/*PATHOGENICITY
       Entamoebiasis/IMMUNOLOGY/*PARASITOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  *Homosexuality
       Human  Japan  Male  Sexually Transmitted
       Diseases/IMMUNOLOGY/PARASITOLOGY/  TRANSMISSION  Virulence  MEETING
       ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

