Microsporidia

Abstract

Microsporidia are found in invertebrates and vertebrates, infecting every major animal group. Microsporidia produce distinctive, environmentally resistant spores, and the shape and size of these spores vary depending on the species. This chapter summarizes microsporidia associated with human infection and related clinical manifestations. Encephalitozoon species including E. intestinalis , E. hellem ,and E. cuniculi are widely distributed in mammals and have been identified in both immune‐competent and immune‐compromised humans. The successful sequencing of various microsporidia genomes has led to the application of molecular‐based techniques for the diagnosis of microsporidia infections in humans. Serologic assays such as carbon immunoassay, indirect immunofluorescence test, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and immunoblot assays have been used to demonstrate microsporidian‐specific antibodies in several species of animals.