Microscopic Detection of the Entamoeba histolytica/dispar Complex in Stool Specimens from Two Clinical Laboratories in Al-Abyar and Toulmetha, Northeastern Libya: A Retrospective Descriptive Study

Abstract

Background: Stool microscopy can detect morphologically compatible Entamoeba histolytica/dispar organisms but cannot reliably identify pathogenic E. histolytica at the species level. This study describes the proportion of stool specimens with such findings in two laboratories in northeastern Libya. Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis was based on 517 laboratory stool-specimen records: 410 from Al-Salam Medical Laboratory, Al-Abyar, and 107 from Toulmetha District Hospital Laboratory. The original manuscript describes macroscopic examination and direct saline and Lugol iodine wet-mount microscopy. Results: Intestinal parasites were recorded in 147 of 517 specimens (28.43%). The E. histolytica/dispar morphological complex was detected in 31 specimens (6.00% of all examined specimens and 21.09% of parasite-positive specimens). Detection was recorded in 24/410 specimens (5.85%) in Al-Abyar and 7/107 (6.54%) in Toulmetha. Of the 31 positive specimens, 20 were from females (64.52%) and 11 from males (35.48%); 12 were recorded in summer, eight in autumn, seven in winter, and four in spring. These distributions cannot establish sex-specific or seasonal differences in positivity without the corresponding numbers examined in each category. Conclusion: Approximately 6% of examined specimens were microscopy-positive for the E. histolytica/dispar morphological complex, but pathogenic E. histolytica infection was not confirmed. Species-specific antigen testing, or PCR is warranted for confirmation. The findings do not estimate community prevalence.