EFFECT OF LACTOBACILLUS POSTBIOTICS ON ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA TROPHOZOITES

Background: Amebiasis is an infectious disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica. It represents one of the three worldwide leading causes of death by parasites and a public health problem due to its frequency, morbidity, mortality, and easy dispersion. Objective: The study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro effect of Lactobacillus spp. postbiotics on E. histolytica trophozoites (HM1-IMSS strain) and to determine morphometric changes in trophozoite membrane by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Methods: Bioassays on trophozoites were conducted with lyophilized postbiotics at 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mg/mL concentrations, and trophozoite samples were obtained for AFM analysis. Results: Results indicated postbiotic inhibitory activity; the highest percentage inhibition was 89.63% at 0.5 mg/mL. Trophozoites nanomechanical analysis showed 28.32% increase in ruggedness and 56% decrease in size with treatments compared to the control. Conclusion: Our study showed that the synergy of Lactobacillus postbiotics inhibited E. histolytica HM1-IMSS in vitro growth under axenic conditions, inducing morphometric alterations in trophozoites' cell membrane. These results would allow designing strategies or treatments aimed at E. histolytica control in the future.