Abstract
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal infections with Entamoeba histolytica and E. histolytica cysts among adult patients visiting King Fahd Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Fresh stool samples were collected from 188 patients (121 males and 67 females). Microscopic examination of fecal preparations (formol-ether concentrations) was done for detection of protozoan cysts, and larvae. To confirm the presence of E. histolytica, the stool samples were tested using the E. histolytica II antigen detection Kit. E. histolytica was detected in 156 (83%) of patients that most of them 106 (68%) needed outpatient care. The prevalence of E. histolytica infection among male was higher than that among female with no significant difference. According to nationality, Saudi patients were more infected by E. histolytica. However, E. histolytica cysts infection was more detected in non-Saudi population. E. histolytica infection was most common among Saudi women than Saudi men. In contrast, the invasive disease caused by E. histolytica infection is more common among men.