A PCR-RFLP method for the simultaneous differentiation of three Entamoeba species

• We developed a new PCR-RFLP method to differentiate three Entamoeba species.
• A molecular tool to differentiate E. histolytica from E. dispar and E. moshkovskii.
• This method could be used for clinical and epidemiological purposes.

Amoebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica continues to be one of the most common parasitic diseases in the developing world. Despite its relevance, due to the lack of accurate diagnostic methods, the true clinical and public health importance of this parasite remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to develop a new diagnostic tool to differentiate E. histolytica from the morphologically undistinguishable E. dispar and E. moshkovskii. We developed a specific, fast and simple PCR-RFLP method that was able to accurately differentiate experimentally-obtained restriction patterns from the three Entamoeba species. This new method could prove useful for clinical and epidemiological purposes.