Evidence for a link between locus R-R sequence type and outcome of infection with Entamoeba histolytica

The Entamoeba histolytica infections result from asymptomatic colonization to variable disease outcomes. However, markers that may predict infection outcomes are not known. Here, we investigated sequence types of a non-coding tRNA-linked locus R-R to identify surrogate markers that may show association with infection outcomes. Among 112 clinical samples -21 asymptomatic, 20 diarrhea/dysentery, and 71 liver abscesses (LA), we identified 11 sequence types. Sequence type 5RR mostly associated with asymptomatic samples, and sequence type 10RR predominantly associated with the symptomatic (diarrhea/dysentery and LA) samples. This is the first report that identifies markers that may predict disease outcomes in E. histolytica.