Molecular Detection of Entamoeba histolytica in Different Water Sources of District Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Many species of protozoa present in the alimentary canal of human beings causing diseases. Due to water-borne diseases about 3.5 million people including 3 million children die throughout the world as well as about 98% deaths occur through extensive water-borne outbreaks in the emerging republics Only the diarrheal diseases cause greater than 1.5 million deaths per year. To investigate the presence of E. histolytica in different water sources of district Peshawar. The study was designed for molecular detection of E. histolytica in water sources. A total of 300 water samples were collected from different water sources of district Peshawar from May, 2011 to April, 2012. And for further process the samples were brought to the Department of Zoology Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat on time. Water samples (n=300) were collected from different water sources (Tube Well, Bore Well, Tap and Drain) in six different areas of District Peshawar (Pakistan). The water was filtered thorough whattman filter paper and the residue was subjected to DNA extraction and PCR was conducted for detection of E. histolytica. To increase the sensitivity of the test a small region (125-bp) of the SSU rRNA was targeted for the PCR amplification. pH of the water were also tested, mean value for over all pH was 8.21 (±0.06), including 8.16 (±0.20) of tube well water, 8.30 (±0.32) of bore well water, 8.26 (±0.24) of tap water and the pH of drain water was 8.11 (±0.48). Overall prevalence of E. histolytica in drinking water of district Peshawar was 11.33% (34/300) followed by 3.57% (2/56) in tube well, 2.74% (2/73) in bore well, 14.41% (16/111) in tap water and 23.33% (14/60) in drain water. The highest prevalence of E. histolytica was 65% recorded in tap water of Faisal Colony and P<.05 was considered significant. It was revealed from the current study that E. histolytica is present in water sources of some areas in Peshawar which may be due to flood and improper management of water scheme. The study also revealed that a proper treatment of water for human consumption is required especially in Faisal Colony in district Peshawar.