Review of the survey of Entamoeba Histolytica in Children; a Brief Focus on Nigeria Situation: a Review

Amoebiasis has been a big problem of human civilization at the beginning of 21st century, so every study from this field is valuable. E. histolytica infection is endemic in most temperate and tropical climates in developing countries. The prevalence and species distribution of Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar in the Nigeria were mostly determined in stool samples collected from public hospitals and primary schools by microscopy methods, but few used ELISA and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed that 92 (8.55%), 63 (23%), 41 (13.7%) and 72 (37.9%) were detected for E. histolytica /disper in the stool samples. The age groups mostly infected were 0–9 years and most cases of E. histolytica was significantly associated with diarrhea. The infection in the children was not influenced by sex, but by age, water contamination and nature of home toilet. Other predisposing factors include poor sanitation and nutrition, particularly in the tropics, like Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that more public health awareness programme should be promoted towards a better understanding of the source and adverse impacts of amoebiasis among children, improvement of sanitation, provision of safe water and good toiletry habits, proper and effective diagnostic techniques, such as, the use of sensitive and specific methods like ELISA and treatment of infected individuals should be encouraged and made available in hospitals and rural health centers.