Identification of entamoeba histolyticaby molecular method in surface water of Rasht City,Iran

Background: this study was conducted with the aim of determining surface water contamination with cysts of enta-moeba histolytica using pcr in rasht city,northern iran. methods: in this cross-sectional study,49 water samples including 18 rivers and 6 wetlands were collected from dif-ferent regions near the city of rasht in autumn of 2012. after filtration using 0.22 μm nitrate cellulose membrane fil-ters,the samples were examined using microscope and pcr method. results: in microscopic examination,four samples of the 49 samples were positive for cysts of e. (histolytica / dispar / muschkovskii). by using pcr method and molecular analysis,one sample was positive for e. histolytica. conclusion: in the molecular analysis,contamination by e. histolytica was proved in the waters of rasht city. further investigations including more samples and necessary preparations must be applied to prevent contamination. © 2015,iranian journal of public health. all rights reserved.