Molecular Identification of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar in Children with Diarrhoea in Gombe State

Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar are morphologically identical intestinal protozoa, yet only E. histolytica causes invasive amoebic disease. Reliable differentiation between these species requires molecular genetic methods, as conventional microscopy cannot distinguish them. This study used PCR-based molecular techniques to identify and differentiate E. histolytica and E. dispar in stool samples from children under 12 with acute diarrhoea attending General Hospital Gombe, North East Nigeria. A total of 200 stool samples were collected and processed. DNA was extracted using the QIAamp DNA Stool Mini Kit, and species-specific PCR targeting the 16S-like rRNA gene was performed. Microscopy with iodine staining was conducted in parallel to compare sensitivity and specificity. Results demonstrated that microscopy overestimated E. histolytica prevalence, as a proportion of microscopically positive samples were identified as E. dispar by PCR. Confirmed E. histolytica infections were associated with more severe clinical presentations. These findings recommend adoption of molecular diagnostic tools in clinical laboratories across Gombe State to improve the accuracy of amoebic disease diagnosis and treatment decisions. Keywords: Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, molecular identification, PCR, Gombe State