       Document 0162
 DOCN  M9550162
 TI    Human microsporidial infections.
 DT    9505
 AU    Weber R; Bryan RT; Schwartz DA; Owen RL; Department of Medicine,
       University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
 SO    Clin Microbiol Rev. 1994 Oct;7(4):426-61. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/95136203
 AB    Microsporidia are obligate intracellular spore-forming protozoal
       parasites belonging to the phylum Microspora. Their host range is
       extensive, including most invertebrates and all classes of vertebrates.
       More than 100 microsporidial genera and almost 1,000 species have now
       been identified. Five genera (Enterocytozoon spp., Encephalitozoon spp.,
       Septata spp., Pleistophora sp., and Nosema spp.) and unclassified
       microsporidia (referred to by the collective term Microsporidium) have
       been associated with human disease, which appears to manifest primarily
       in immunocompromised persons. The clinical manifestations of
       microsporidiosis are diverse and include intestinal, pulmonary, ocular,
       muscular, and renal disease. Among persons not infected with human
       immunodeficiency virus, ten cases of microsporidiosis have been
       documented. In human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients, on the
       other hand, over 400 cases of microsporidiosis have been identified, the
       majority attributed to Enterocytozoon bieneusi, an important cause of
       chronic diarrhea and wasting. Diagnosis of microsporidiosis currently
       depends on morphological demonstration of the organisms themselves.
       Initial detection of microsporidia by light microscopic examination of
       tissue sections and of more readily obtainable specimens such as stool,
       duodenal aspirates, urine, sputum, nasal discharge, bronchoalveolar
       lavage fluid, and conjunctival smears is now becoming routine practice.
       Definitive species identification is made by using the specific
       fluorescein-tagged antibody (immunofluorescence) technique or electron
       microscopy. Treatment options are limited, but symptomatic improvement
       of Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection may be achieved with the
       anthelmintic-antiprotozoal drug albendazole. Preliminary observations
       suggest that Septata intestinalis and Encephalitozoon infections may be
       cured with albendazole. Progress is being made with respect to in vitro
       propagation of microsporidia, which is crucial for developing
       antimicrosporidial drugs. Furthermore, molecular techniques are being
       developed for diagnostic purposes, taxonomic classification, and
       analysis of phylogenetic relationships of microsporidia.
 DE    Animal  Human  HIV Infections/COMPLICATIONS  Microscopy, Electron
       Microscopy, Electron, Scanning  Microspora
       Infections/*COMPLICATIONS/DIAGNOSIS/*PATHOLOGY/THERAPY
       Microsporida/CLASSIFICATION/*GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT/*ULTRASTRUCTURE
       Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.  Support, U.S.
       Gov't, P.H.S.  JOURNAL ARTICLE  REVIEW  REVIEW, TUTORIAL

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

