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The applicant hypothesis is that immunity to Entamoeba histolytica infection is acquired from previous infection. In specific aim 1, a 3 years prospective study will measure E. histolytica infection and invasion in cohorts of children ages 2-5 in the Mirpur district of Dhaka.
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If the hypothesis is correct they would predict that following outcomes: <ol>
<li> Children who had prior E. histolytica infection will be less likely to have future of invasive amebiasis; </li>
<li> it is possible that they will also be less likely to be reinfected with E. histolytica; and, </li>
<li> if reinfected may clear infection more rapidly.</li></ol></p>
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If their hypothesis is correct they would predict that clearance of E. histolytica infection will be associated with the development of an adherence-inhibitory antibody response against the carbohydrate-binding domain of the lectin. </p>
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Completion of these studies should provide a foundation for understanding the mechanisms of protective immunity to amebiasis, and provide a baseline for evaluating the efficacy of vaccines as they enter clinical trails.</P>