Serum Zinc and Copper Levels in Amebic Dysentery

Abstract

Objective: It is suggested that zinc alters thefunctionality of Entamoeba histolytica in vitro asreflected by decrease in replication and adhesion andin vivo as manifested by inhibition of amebicpathogenicity. Suggesting a possible role in amebicintestinal disease copper significantly inhibitsEntamoeba histolytica acid phosphatase activity.Methods: Thirty-one patients with Entamoebahistolytica rectocolitis and 26 age/gender matchedhealthy subjects were recruited for the study. Plasmazinc and copper levels were determined with 5-Br-PAPSand bathocuproin with deproteinization methodsrespectively.Results: Serum zinc concentration was (median; min-max) significantly lower in patients with amebicdysentery (9.9; 4.7-19.6 mmol/L) than the control group(12.4; 7.9-20.0mmol/L), (p<0.05). Serum copperconcentrations of the patients (19.7; 7.27-54.3 mmol/L) and the control group (12.2; 11.5-33.5 mmol/L) werenot statistically different.Conclusion: Serum zinc concentrations decreased inpatients with Entamoeba histolytica rectocolitis, but asignificant difference was not observed for serumcopper concentrations.Key words: Copper, zinc, dysentery, entamoeba histolytica