Actualmente, la forma correcta de informar con base al examen microscópico fecal la presencia de formas evolutivas compatibles con Entamoeba histolytica, es complejo Entamoeba spp., ya que morfológicamente no se puede distinguir entre sus integrantes (E. histolytica, E. dispar y E. moshkovskii). Para determinar la prevalencia de este complejo, se obtuvo una muestra fecal de 302 individuos, de uno u otro sexo, entre 0 y 19 años de edad de siete municipios del estado Zulia, Venezuela. Las muestras fecales se procesaron mediante examen coproparasitológico in situ, y posteriormente todas las muestras fueron sometidas al método de concentración de formol-éter (Ritchie). El 74,2% (224/302) de los individuos estaban parasitados, con predominio del poliparasitismo (85,8%), con predominio de las protozoosis/cromistas sobre las helmintiasis. Resultaron 69 individuos (22,8%) con formas evolutivas del complejo Entamoeba spp. Se observó predominio de eliminación de formas quísticas en las muestras estudiadas 50/69 (72,5%), 15 individuos presentaron tanto quistes como trofozoítos (21,7%). Solo se detectaron trofozoítos del complejo en cuatro individuos (5,8%); incluyendo trofozoítos hematófagos, típicos de E. histolytica, en uno de ellos. No se encontró diferencia significativa al evaluar la prevalencia del complejo Entamoeba con el sexo, ni con la edad (p > 0,05); aunque el mayor porcentaje de casos se detectó entre los 2 y 14 años. Entamoeba coli y Endolimax nana fueron los microorganismos asociados en forma significativa al complejo Entamoeba spp. Se concluye que la infección por los integrantes del complejo Entamoeba spp. es endémica en niños y adolescentes de diversas comunidades del estado Zulia.

Currently, the correct way to report the presence of evolutionary forms compatible with Entamoeba histolytica, based on faecal microscopic examination, is the complex Entamoeba spp., since it is not possible to distinguish morphologically among its members (E. histolytica, E. dispar and E. moshkovskii). To determine the prevalence of this complex, one faecal sample was obtained from 302 individuals, male or female, between 0 and 19 years of age in seven municipalities of Zulia state, Venezuela. Faecal samples were processed by in situ coproparasitological examination, and then all samples were subjected to the concentration method with formalin-ether (Ritchie). An estimate of 74.2% (224/302) of individuals examined were parasitized. Multiparasitism was prevalent (85.8%) but protozoan/chromistas infections predominate over helminths. Sixty nine individuals (22.8%) showed evolutionary forms compatible with the complex Entamoeba spp. A predominance of cystic forms in the studied samples was observed in 50/69 (72.5%) individuals, 15 of them had both cysts and trophozoites (21.7%). Trophozoites were only detected in four individuals (5.8%), including hematophagous trophozoites typical of E. histolytica in one individual. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of Entamoeba complex based on sex or age (p > 0.05); although the highest percentage of cases was detected between 2 and 14 years. Endolimax nana and Entamoeba coli were the microorganisms significantly associated to Entamoeba spp. complex. We conclude that infection by members of the complex Entamoeba spp. is endemic in children and teenagers of diverse communities of Zulia state.