Zulhainan HamzahSongsak PetmitrMathirut MungthinSaovanee LeelayoovaPorntip Chavalitshewinkoon-PetmitrMahidol UniversityKementerian Kesihatan MalaysiaPhramongkutklao College of Medicine2018-09-242018-09-242010-10-01American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Vol.83, No.4 (2010), 909-913000296372-s2.0-79958061530https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/29191Multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed for differential detection of Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, and Entamoeba moshkovskii. Specific primers were designed for all three species, and then differentiation of E. histolytica and E. dispar was achieved simultaneously using a hybridization probe and melting curve analysis, whereas E. moshkovskii was detected with a separate probe under the same condition. This assay detected as little as 0.2 pg of E. histolytica DNA and 2 pg each for E. dispar and E. moshkovskii DNA. Thirty-five clinical samples suspected to be E. histolytica infection by microscopy were tested. The results showed 32 positive samples; four samples were E. histolytica and 28 samples were E. dispar. Interestingly, one E. dispar positive sample showed a mixed infection with E. moshkovskii. This is the first report of E. moshkovskii infection from Thailand and this assay is currently the most rapid and sensitive method to differentiate these human amoebas. Copyright © 2010 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.Mahidol UniversityImmunology and MicrobiologyMedicineArticleSCOPUS10.4269/ajtmh.2010.10-0050