Way to control colitis-causing parasite

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Jan. 18 (UPI) -- University of Virginia Health System researchers have identified a protein on the surface of the amoeba involved in inflammation of the colon, or colitis.

Entamoeba histolytica, which causes colitis attacks and kills human immune cells in seconds and then hides the evidence by eating the dead cells.

Dr. William Petri hypothesized that identifying molecules involved in the corpse ingestion might provide insight into how the amoebas cause colitis in children. The team identified the protein on the surface of the amoeba called a kinase, PATMK.

"By blocking this kinase, we have for the first time prevented the amoeba from colonizing and invading the gut," Petri said. "This means that we are a step closer to preventing this disease, which wreaks havoc among children worldwide."

The findings are published in PLoS Pathogens.