Microsporidiosis: Epidemiology, clinical data and therapy

Frequency of Microsporidial Infection in Immunocompromised Patients with Staining and Molecular Methods Based on Internal Transcribed Spacer Region Gene in Two Cities of Southwest Iran during 2013-2014

“…Moreover, light microscope does not work when the stool contains undetectable levels of spores; this is consistent with Gumbo et al 48 In Zimbabwe, microsporidia was detected in 18%, 51% of diarrhea patients by microscopic and PCR, respectively. These findings were supported by others who reported PCR is more sensitive(100%) compared to microscopic techniques in detecting microsporidial infection in HIV + patients 34,49,50 .The increased sensitivity of PCR can be attributed to lower threshold of microsporidia (10 2 spores/g stool) compared to optical microscopy in which the cut-off point ranges from 10 4 to 10 6 spores 51 . Althoughtrichrome staining is are liable and an available technique for detection of microsporidian spores in vitro, detection process is difficult and time-consuming for staining 46,52 .Moreover, higher prevalence of E. bieneusi compared to E. intestinalis has been reported in some studies 29,36,53 .…”

A New and Highly Divergent Enterocytozoon bieneusi Genotype Isolated from a Renal Transplant Recipient

“…Albendazole and fumagillin are the main drugs used to treat E. bieneusi infections (7). However, relapse is often observed after albendazole withdrawal and the efficacy of fumagillin is counterbalanced by its adverse effects, with fumagillin exhibiting bone marrow toxicity leading to thrombocytopenia and neutropenia (1,7). Here, a complete recovery was obtained with nitazoxanide.…”

“…are the major species infecting humans, with E. bieneusi being the most prevalent (10,15). Transmission occurs mainly through fecal-oral routes, with sources of infection including other infected humans and animals, contaminated water, and, as illustrated recently, food (1,4). Microsporidia have emerged as an important cause of opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS, being predominantly associated with wasting and diarrhea.…”

“…Moreover, Sak et al have recently provided new insights into the understanding of microsporidiosis, highlighting a high prevalence of microsporidia in healthy subjects (11,12). These findings suggest that the real distribution of microsporidiosis in humans is probably underestimated (1).…”

Infectious Complications in Kidney Transplantation

“…Disseminated microsporidiosis is dominated by a febrile systemic inflammatory response, with rapid development of pneumonia and encephalitis, which is often fatal. The treatment of choice is albendazole (Anane & Attouchi, 2010 FO. & Maki, DG.…”