Effects of several metabolic inhibitors on the survival and growth of Entamoeba histolytica.

Abstract

Summary 1. The effects of metabolic inhibitors on the survival and growth of Entamoeba histolytica, DKB strain, with 3 different associate bacterial floras have been studied and evaluated. 2. Inhibitors active against enzymes containing sulfhydryl groups, as iodoacetic acid and sodium arsenite, are effective in inhibiting the survival and growth of E. histolytica. 3. Inhibitors active against phosphorylation, such as sodium arsenate are effective in inhibiting the survival and growth of E. histolytica. 4. Glycolytic inhibitors including iodoacetic acid and sodium arsenate are effective against the survival and growth of E. histolytica. Their inhibitory effects on the amebae are most likely direct. Sodium fluoride, another glycolytic inhibitor seems not to be effective against the survival and growth of the amebae. 5. Inhibitors active against the enzymes of Krebs tricarboxylic acid cycle, such as potassium cyanide, sodium azide, and sodium fluoroacetate are not effective against the survival and growth of E. histolytica.