Background: Since intestinal inflammation associated with chronic amoebiasis is regulated by
interleukin-10 (IL-10), single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at 1082, guanine (G) to adenine (A) alleles,
are hypothesized to influence disease severity.
Objective: To investigate the potential link between IL-10-1082G/A gene polymorphism and diversity of
clinical pediatric chronic amoebiasis.
Subjects and Methods: This case-control study included 100 selected children with chronic amoebiasis
clinically complaining of chronic intermittent diarrhea (lasting > four weeks) alternating sometimes
with constipation, and 100 healthy controls. Infected children were selected according to their routine
investigations that included stool analysis, and bacterial culture-sensitivity method. Cases negative for
bacterial infections, and positive for Entamoeba cysts were subjected to ELISA assay for detection of fecal
E. histolytica adhesion antigen. Identification of polymorphism was performed using PCR amplification
followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The potential link of Il-10 polymorphism
was assessed by correlating the detected genotype with diarrhea grading, weight, and cyst counts.
Results: A significant association (P<0.005) was recorded between IL-10 polymorphism and disease
severity, weight, and cyst count. The G allele was associated with mild symptoms (47.1%; OR=3.8), normal
weight (57.1%; OR=2.7), and high cyst count (50.7%; OR=3.5). In contrast, severe symptoms (43.4%;
OR=2.7) and underweight (35%; OR=2.8), were independently associated with A allele.
Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential role of IL-10 gene polymorphism in influencing the
clinical course of pediatric chronic amoebiasis. Further research should explore IL-10 levels and treatment
outcomes to enhance our understanding of this potential link.