Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 7 1 2012 03 15 97 103 EN E Nazemalhosseini-Mojarad Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran M Azimirad Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Z Nochi Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran S Romani Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran M Tajbakhsh Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran M Rostami-Nejad Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran A Haghighi Department of Medical Parasitology & Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran MR Zali Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2015 10 03 Background: A number of methods for detecting diversity in Entamoeba have been described over the years. In the present study the genetic polymorphism of noncoding locus A-L was ana­lyzed using PCR and sequencing in order to clarify the genotypic differences among E. dispar isolates. Methods: A total of 28 E. dispar from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were determined and the genomic DNA was extracted directly from stool. For genotype analysis; Locus A-L was amplified by PCR and PCR products were sequenced .The sequences obtained were edited ma­nually and aligned using Gene Runner software. Results: With sequencing of PCR products a reliable genetic diversity in size, number and posi­tion of the repeat units were observed among the Iranian E. dispar isolates in locus A-L gene. Se­quences showed variation in length from 448bp to 507bp and seven distinct types were identified. Conclusion: The genetic diversity of loci like A-L shows them to be suitable for epidemiological studies such as the characterization of the routes of transmission of these parasites in Iran. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/227 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/227/226