Prevalence of Human Intestinal Entamoeba spp. in the Americas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, 1990–2022

HELMAN, ELISA; SERVIÁN, ANDREA; IGLESIAS, MARÍA DEL ROSARIO; PANTI-MAY, JESÚS ALONSO; ZONTA, MARÍA LORENA; NAVONE, GRACIELA TERESA

Pathogens

Pathogens

Año: 2022 vol. 11

Among the seven species of Entamoeba known to infect humans, E. histolytica is widelyrecognized as a pathogen. It is reported that Entamoeba infections are common in the developingworld, but rare in developed countries. The best way to diagnose these protozoan parasites isto detect antigens or DNA in the stool. This study aimed to review the prevalence, distribution,and diagnosis methods of Entamoeba spp. infecting humans in the Americas between 1990 and2022. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed, including 227 studies on Entamoebainfections from 30 out of 35 American countries. The pooled prevalence of each species of Entamoeba was calculated using the random-effects model. The assignment of Entamoeba species was mainly performed by microscopy. The most widely distributed and prevalent species was E. coli (21.0%). Of the studies, 49% could not differentiate the species of the Entamoeba complex. The pathogenic species E. histolytica was distributed among 22 out of 30 American countries studied, with a pooled prevalence of 9%. Molecular data on Entamoeba species are still scarce. This is the first study that reviewed and summarized data on the prevalence of this protozoan genera among American countries.