Assessment of Liver Enzymes among Patients with Entamoeba histolytica Infection in Najaf Province
Hashim Raheem Tarish *
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Technologies, Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq.
Aliaa Malik Hussein
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Technologies, Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq.
Tuqa Haider Abdul Amir
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Technologies, Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq.
Antizar Asaad Abdulhasan
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Technologies, Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq.
Zahraa Haitham Abdul Hadi
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Technologies, Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Intestinal amoebiasis may be accompanied by extraintestinal manifestations, but abnormalities in liver enzymes do not independently establish hepatic involvement.
Aim: This study described liver-enzyme findings and demographic characteristics among participants classified as having Entamoeba histolytica infection in Najaf Province, Iraq.
Methods: The study was conducted between December 2025 and February 2026 and included 59 participants, comprising 35 patients classified as infected and 24 healthy controls. Stool samples were assessed macroscopically and by direct microscopy using normal saline and Lugol's iodine preparations. Blood samples were analysed for GOT, GPT and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) using a FUJI DRI-CHEM analyser. The available results were summarised descriptively.
Results: Among the 35 participants classified as infected, GOT was elevated in 13 (37.14%), whereas GPT and ALP were each elevated in four (11.43%). Eighteen participants were male (51.43%) and 17 were female (48.57%). The 11–20-year age group accounted for the largest proportion of infected participants (9/35; 25.71%), while the 41–50-year group accounted for the smallest proportion (2/35; 5.71%).
Conclusion: GOT elevations were reported more frequently than GPT or ALP elevations within this sample. The findings are descriptive, and the available results do not establish an association with infection, identify the source of enzyme abnormalities, or confirm amoebic liver abscess. Further studies with species-specific diagnosis and comparative biochemical analyses are needed.
Keywords: Entamoeba histolytica, amoebiasis, stool microscopy, liver enzymes, GOT, GPT, alkaline phosphatase, age distribution, sex distribution