Does anti-parasitic treatment normalize platelets morphology in patients infested with Entamoeba histolytica?

Platelets are part of body defence system, especially the anti-parasite immunologic response. Platelets manifest their functions only after their activation. Thrombine activates platelets inducing change of their shape and causing secretion of certain substances. This study was designed to estimate platelet morphology as an indicator of their activation and effectiveness of anti-parasite therapy. The study was conducted in group of 30 patients infested with E. histolytica before treatment (A) and group of 23 patients after 2-week treatment course (B). The diagnosis of amoebiasis was based on detection of cyst forms in faeces. During the course of amoebiasis increase of platelets count and platelet crit (PCT) was observed. Mean platelet volume (MPV) in both groups (A and B) was decreased as compared with control group. We suggest that E. histolytica activates platelets, and the degree of their activation determines their morphologic parameters, and these changes come back to normal values during anti-parasite treatment.