Serum Zinc and Copper Levels in Amebic Dysentery

Abstract

Objective: 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; min-max) 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.
Key words: Copper, zinc, dysentery, entamoeba histolytica

Keywords

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