Fast Technology Analysis Enables Identification of Species and Genotypes of Latent Microsporidia Infections in Healthy Native Cameroonians

Abstract

Several enteric microsporidia species have been detected in humans and other vertebrates and their identifications at the genotype level are currently being elucidated. As advanced methods, reagents, and disposal kits for detecting and identifying pathogens become commercially available, it is important to test them in settings other than in laboratories with “state-of-the-art” equipment and well-trained staff members. In the present study, we sought to detect microsporidia DNA preserved and extracted from FTA (fast technology analysis) cards spotted with human fecal suspensions obtained from Cameroonian volunteers living in the capital city of Yaoundé to preclude the need for employing spore-concentrating protocols. Further, we tested whether amplicon nucleotide sequencing approaches could be used on small aliquots taken from the cards to elucidate the diversity of microsporidia species and strains infecting native residents. Of 196 samples analyzed, 12 (6.1%) were positive for microsporidia DNA; Enterocytozoon bieneusi (Type IV and KIN-1), Encephalitozoon cuniculi, and Encephalitozoon intestinalis were identified. These data demonstrate the utility of the FTA cards in identifying genotypes of microsporidia DNA in human fecal samples that may be applied to field testing for prevalence studies.

Molecular-Based Detection of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Farmed Masked Palm Civets (Paguma larvata) in Hainan, China: A High-Prevalence, Specificity, and Zoonotic Potential of ITS Genotypes

“…isolated in various animal hosts and water samples (2). Genotypes KIN-1, CHN4, and Henan-III have only been discovered in a few human cases of microsporidiosis, with genotype KIN-1 in a Cameroonian, while genotypes CHN4 and Henan-III in three and one Chinese, respectively (18)(19)(20). Additionally, they have also been found in some animals from China.…”

E. hellemSer/Thr protein phosphatase PP1 targets the DC MAPK pathway and impairs immune functions

“…Immunocompromised individuals were believed to be more vulnerable to microsporidia infections ( 5 ). However, accumulating evidence showed that immunocompetent individuals would also be infected, and the outcomes are often asymptomatic and therefore lead to latent infections ( 6 , 7 , 8 ). For instance, one study conducted in Cameroon revealed that 87% of teenagers and 68% of healthy asymptomatic individuals actually had subclinical microsporidia infections and were shedding spores ( 9 ).…”

“…These findings revealed the incidences of latent infection and persistence of microsporidia in immunocompetent individuals are much higher than we used to think. Although the issues about the latent infection of microsporidia in immunocompetent individuals had long been underestimated, it should now be paid more attention because the wide existence of microsporidia in nature and the wide host ranges of them may lead to emerging infections and serious public health problems ( 8 , 12 ).…”

Microsporidia Ser/Thr Protein Phosphatase PP1 Targets DCs MAPK Pathway and Impairs Immune Functions

“…Immune-compromised individuals were believed to be more vulnerable to microsporidia infections (5). However, accumulating evidence showed that immune-competent individuals would also be infected, and the outcomes are often asymptomatic and cause latent infections (6)(7)(8). For instances, one study conducted in Cameroon revealed that 87% teenagers and 68% healthy asymptomatic individuals were actually had subclinical microsporidial infections and were shedding spores (9).…”

“…These findings revealed the latent infection and persistence of microsporidia in immune-competent individuals are much higher than we used to think. Although the issues about the latent infection of microsporidia in immune-competent individuals had long been under-estimated, it should now be paid more attentions since the wide existence of microsporidia in nature and the wide host ranges of them may lead to emerging infections and serious public health problems (8, 12).…”