Role of Cytokines and Reactive Oxygen Species in the Amebic Liver Abscess Produced by Entamoeba histolytica

Entamoeba histolytica causes amebiasis that kills 100,000 individuals each year. The disease affects the large intestine, producing amebic ulcerative colitis with important inflammation. The main extra intestinal complication is the amebic liver abscess (ALA). Microscopically, ALA presents liver lesions with trophozoites localized in the border of the necrotic areas and close to apparently normal hepatic tissue. The inflammatory foci in the parenchyma are variable; however, the portal areas show a significant acute and chronic inflammatory reaction. Abundant information regarding the production of different profiles of cytokines, reactive oxygen species, and nitric oxide produced by inflammatory cells in the liver have shown that this environment is essential in ALA development and the subsequent liver damage. Better knowledge regarding the regulation of these molecules is necessary to have a clearer understanding of the physiopathology of the amebiasis.