Entamoeba polecki and other intestinal protozoa in Papua New Guinea Highland children.

Relatively few cases of humans infected with Entamoeba polecki have been reported world-wide. Where man and pig live in close association and where sanitation is poor, pig to man transmission is considered to be the most likely source of human infection. In our survey of 184 children only fresh faeces were used, thus allowing the identification of trophozoites as well as cysts. Thirty-five children (19%) were found positive for E. polecki, although in one community ten of 23 (43.4%) over five-year olds were infected. Sera from 20 positive children were tested against E. histolytica antigen, but no positive reactions were observed. We propose the possibility of man to man transmission of E. polecki where the prevalence rate and intensity of infection are high.