It is suggested that zinc alters the functionality of Entamoeba histolytica in vitro as reflected by decrease in replication and adhesion and in vivo as manifested by inhibition of amebic pathogenicity. Suggesting a possible role in amebic intestinal disease copper significantly inhibits Entamoeba histolytica acid phosphatase activity. Methods: Thirty-one patients with Entamoeba histolytica rectocolitis and 26 age/gender matched healthy subjects were recruited for the study. Plasma zinc and copper levels were determined with 5-Br-PAPS and bathocuproin with deproteinization methods respectively. Results: Serum zinc concentration was (median; minmax) significantly lower in patients with amebic dysentery (9.9; 4.7-19.6 mmol/L) than the control group (12.4; 7.9-20.0mmol/L), (p<0.05). Serum copper concentrations of the patients (19.7; 7.27-54.3 mmol/ L) and the control group (12.2; 11.5-33.5 mmol/L) were not statistically different. Conclusion: Serum zinc concentrations decreased in patients with Entamoeba histolytica rectocolitis, but a significant difference was not observed for serum copper concentrations.
Keywords: Copper, zinc, dysentery, entamoeba histolytica