PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

Entamoeba histolytica is an important global pathogen and a leading cause of parasitic death worldwide. This article summarizes significant research findings over the last year.

RECENT FINDINGS:

Efforts have focused primarily on identification of novel virulence determinants in E. histolytica, transcriptional profiling during tissue invasion and stage conversion, and characterization of basic cell biological processes. Additionally, new techniques for gene silencing have been identified.

SUMMARY:

A comprehensive examination of the parasite lifestyle on a whole genome level has been undertaken, allowing identification of new virulence genes and signaling pathways and processes relevant to amebic biology.