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Abstract.
The isoenzyme patterns of 92 isolates of Entamoeba histolytica from British Columbia and 28 from Ontario were determined. Seropositivity for E. histolytica was assessed by indirect hemagglutination and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the one center and by ELISA and amebic gel diffusion in the other.
In both British Columbia and Ontario nonpathogenic zymodemes I and III were most common. A newly described isoenzyme pattern was identified in Ontario. Only 9 of 120 zymodeme patterns identified were found to be pathogenic strains of E. histolytica. Pathogenic isolates were strongly correlated with clinical symptoms and seropositivity.