Microsporidia are eukaryotic, unicellular

organisms belonging to the phylum

Microspora. All microspoidia are obligate,
spore-forming, intracellular parasites that
invade vertebrates and invertebrates.
 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
 Microsporidia are tiny, spore-forming obligate
intracellular eukaryotic protozoa.
About 1-4 um size.
Lack mitochondria.
They also lack motile structures.
 Most common: diarrheal illness.
Other manifestations: cholangitis, hepatitis,
encephalitis, ocular infection, sinusitis,
myositis, disseminated infection.
Clinical symptoms may vary by species.
 Enterocytozoon bieneusi
Infections with E. bieneusi are 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 with Encephalitozoon intestinalis occurs
in the enterocytes of the small intestine but is
more widely disseminated than E. bieneusi and
has been found in the colon, liver and kidney.
 Encephalitozoon hellem and Encephalitozoon
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.
 Human to human
Animal to human
Water transmission
Inhalation or ingestion
 Fecalysis
Urinalysis
Other body fluids or tissues
 NO vaccine available
Filtrating water supply
Taking precautions when handling body fluids
Improving personal hygiene (e.g
handwashing)
 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.
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsporidia
http://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/microsporidiosis/
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parasitology-report-group-6