MICROSPORIDI

A
 Microsporidiaare eukaryotic, unicellular
organisms belonging to the phylum
Microspora. All microspoidia are obligate,
spore-forming, intracellular parasites that
invade vertebrates and invertebrates.
 Epidemiology
Protists, related to fungi.
Many species, including Enterocytozoon
bieneusi, Entacephalitozoon cuniculi,
Encephalitozoon intestinalis.
Ubiquitous, may be zoonotic and/or
waterborne.
Risk greatest with CD4 count <100
cells/uL.
Incidence dramatically lower in areas
with widespread use of effective ART.
 Intracellular spore-forming parasites.
Clinical manifestations of microsporidiosis
include intestinal, pulmonary, ocular,
muscular and renal disease.
Microsporidium has been identified in
immunosuppressed host, travelers,
children and the elderly.
Shared the same features with fungi.
 Ryan Blue
Giemsa stain (eye) Trichrome
 Morphology
Microsporidia are tiny, spore-forming
obligate intracellular eukaryotic protozoa.
About 1-4 um size.
Lack mitochondria.
They also lack motile structures.
Life Cycle
 Clinical Manifestations
Most common: diarrheal illness.
Other manifestations: cholangitis,
hepatitis, encephalitis, ocular infection,
sinusitis, myositis, disseminated
infection.
Clinical symptoms may vary by species.
Clinical Manifestation
 Clinical Disease
Enterocytozoon bieneusi
Infections withE. bieneusiare restricted
to the enterocytes of the small intestine,
resulting in villous atrophy and
malabsorption. Clinical symptoms include
chronic watery, non-bloody diarrhea,
malaise and weight loss.
 Encephalitozoon intestinalis
Infection withEncephalitozoon
intestinalisoccurs in the enterocytesof
the small intestine but is more widely
disseminated thanE. bieneusiand has
been found in the colon, liver and kidney.
 Encephalitozoon
hellemandEncephalitozoon cuniculi
These organisms have also been found in
disseminated microsporidiosis. Clinical
symptoms may include sinusitis,
nephritis, hepatitis, keratoconjunctivitis
and peritonitis.
 Nosema corneum
This organism has been detected in AIDS
patients with keratoconjunctivitis.
 Mode of Transmission
Human to human
Animal to human
Water transmission
Inhalation or ingestion
 Diagnostic Tests
Fecalysis
Urinalysis
Other body fluids or tissues
 Prevention
NO vaccine available
Filtrating water supply
Taking precautions when handling body
fluids
Improving personal hygiene (e.g
handwashing)
 Treatment
Albendazole gastro, muscl;e,
disseminated and ocular infections.
Metronidazole E. bieneusi and others.
Fumagillin keratoconjunctivitis and
acular lesions (Encephalitozoon spp. B.
algarae, E. hellum, E. cuniculi, V.
corneae); Not approved by FDA for
microsporidios.
 Reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsporidi
a
http://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/microsporidiosis
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http://slideplayer.com/slide/7564392/
http://www.slideshare.net/joanamaebathan
/parasitology-report-group-6