The galactose-inhibitable surface lectin of Entamoeba histolytica, a possible candidate for a subunit vaccine to prevent amoebiasis.

Invasive amoebiasis, a spectrum of diseases caused by the enteric protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, constitutes a major health problem mainly in tropical and subtropical countries with poor sanitary conditions. The different forms of the disease are characterized by massive tissue lesions. Amoeba-induced tissue destruction requires an intimate contact between E. histolytica trophozoites and host cells. This contact is predominantly mediated by a galactose-inhibitable lectin located on the surface of the amoebae. Therefore, the lectin is considered a prime candidate for the development of a vaccine to prevent amoebiasis. This communication reports on recent developments in characterizing the structure and function of the E. histolytica surface lectin and its use as a subunit vaccine.