Serum Zinc and Copper Levels in Amebic Dysentery

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.