Effects of Cd^＋2, Cu^＋2, Ba^＋2 and Co^＋2 ions on Entamoeba histolytica cysts

AIM:The effects of cobalt, copper, cadmium and barium ions on the cysts of Entarnoeba histolytica (E.histolytica),an amebic dysentery agent,cultured in Robinson medium were investigated.METHODS: E.histolytica cysts and trophozoites isolated from a patient with amebiasis were cultivated in the medium,incubated at 37℃ for a period of 4 days and 40×10^4/ml amebic cysts were then transferred to a fresh medium. At the second stage, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2mM of selected metal ions were added to the medium,and the effects of these ions on parasitic reproduction compared with the control group were observed.RESULTS:It was determined that the number of living parasites in all the groups containing metal ions decreased significantly starting from 30 minutes (P