Presentation
It may be underdiagnosed, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of transplant recipients presenting with opportunistic infections. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Furthermore, egg surface disinfectants presently used in zebrafish laboratories are ineffective against microsporidian spores. At this time, the most effective method for prevention of these parasites is avoidance. [nas-sites.org]
In healthy hosts, including elderly hosts, the usual presentation is self-limited diarrhea. Asymptomatic infection has been reported in children. [visualdx.com]
Ocular infections presenting with superficial or stromal keratitis (in association with eye pain) have been described in immunocompetent individuals. [news-medical.net]
Entire Body System
- Weight Loss
Other microsporidiosis symptoms may include abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, weight loss, persistent cough, pain in the side (flank), muscle aches, headache, and eye inflammation with redness. Vision may be blurred. [merckmanuals.com]
Enterocytozoon bieneusi, a microsporidian parasite, has been recognized since 1985 as an agent of intestinal microsporidiosis leading to malabsorption syndrome, diarrhea, and weight loss in AIDS patients. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The most common manifestation of intestinal microsporidiosis in HIV-positive patients is profuse, watery, non-bloody diarrhoea, sometimes accompanied by abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting and weight loss. [apps.who.int]
- Fever
We describe a case of pulmonary microsporidiosis in a 27-year-old Italian man with AIDS who developed fever, cough, and dyspnea. A chest X-ray showed multiple bilateral pulmonary opacities and mediastinal lymph-node enlargement. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Other microsporidiosis symptoms may include abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, weight loss, persistent cough, pain in the side (flank), muscle aches, headache, and eye inflammation with redness. Vision may be blurred. [merckmanuals.com]
Symptoms vary but include chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, weight loss, and eye inflammation. Doctors diagnose the infection by identifying microsporidia in a sample of the infected tissue or in stool, urine, or other body fluids. [msdmanuals.com]
- Inflammation
The spores can then spread throughout the body, causing inflammation, or they can be excreted into the environment in the breath, stool, or urine. [merckmanuals.com]
Histopathological lesions consisted of inflammation associated with intracytoplasmic microsporidian spores in the urogenital tract and liver. PCR established the microsporidian as Encephalitozoon hellem. [grantome.com]
Microsporidia elicit a wide range of pathology, e.g., inflammation and cell death, and symptoms, e.g., shortness of breath, sinusitis, and diarrhea with wasting. Untreated, microsporidiosis has been documented as a cause of death. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Asymptomatic
Knowledge of the epidemiology of microsporidiosis in humans is limited, but as with cryptosporidiosis, microsporidiosis is probably a common, self-limited or asymptomatic infection in immunocompetent hosts. [annals.org]
Although patients with multiorgan disease may be asymptomatic, clinical presentation usually relates to the involved organs. Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Septata intestinalis are the most frequently identified species of pathogens. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections have been observed, but it is highly influenced by the host immune status. [news-medical.net]
Infection by Microsporidia, which usually infects immunocompromised hosts, especially AIDS Pts Clinical–GI tract Chronic, watery diarrhea, ↓ weight, abdominal pain N&V; Clinical—systemic Sx of cholecystitis, renal failure, RTIs, red eyes, photosensitivity, asymptomatic [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
- Weakness
Here, we discuss the possible reasons and ramifications of what may be a weak primary CD4+ T cell response against Encephalitozoon cuniculi. [onlinelibrary.wiley.com]
Symptoms can be far-ranging (depending on which species of microsporidia one is infected with) and may include: Cough, wheezing and labored breathing Atypical urinary tract infection Muscular weakness and pain Headaches and migraines Blurred vision, light [verywellhealth.com]
While the oligoamines SL-11158 and SL-11144 are active against E. cuniculi both in vitro and in vivo (Tables 1 and 3 ), the tetramine SL-11093 and the pentamine SL-11061 are weak or poor inhibitors of parasite growth in vitro (Table 1 ). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Respiratoric
- Sputum
Chromotrope-based stains were positive for microsporidia in urine, stools, sputum, and conjunctival scrapings. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
For example, samples of stool, urine, blood, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid (taken by spinal tap ), or the cornea (taken by scraping) may be examined. Tests may also be done to identify the parasite's genetic material (DNA) in the sample. [merckmanuals.com]
The diagnosis in this case was established when microsporidial spores were detected in cerebrospinal fluid, stool, urine and sputum. [news-medical.net]
- Hemoptysis
In two patients, grade 4 thrombocytopenia developed; one of these patients also had mild epistaxis and anal bleeding, and the other had hemoptysis and received a transfusion of platelets. [content.nejm.org]
- Persistent Cough
Other microsporidiosis symptoms may include abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, weight loss, persistent cough, pain in the side (flank), muscle aches, headache, and eye inflammation with redness. Vision may be blurred. [merckmanuals.com]
Other microsporidiosis symptoms may include abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, persistent cough, muscle aches and pain, headache, and eye inflammation with redness. Vision may be blurred. If infection of the eye is severe, blindness can result. [msdmanuals.com]
Gastrointestinal
- Chronic Diarrhea
DISCUSSION Most described cases of human microsporidiosis were in patients with AIDS and characterized by chronic diarrhea. [scielo.br]
Clinical manifestations of infection with this species include self-limited diarrhea, chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, cholangitis, and cholecystitis. Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection is one of several infectious etiologies in traveler's diarrhea. [visualdx.com]
A patient with AIDS and chronic diarrhea caused by Enterocytozoon bieneusi was successfully treated with nitazoxanide, producing a complete clinical and parasitological response, while off of antiviral therapy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
(formerly Septata) intestinalis can cause chronic diarrhea in patients with AIDS and CD4 cell counts of < 100/mcL. [msdmanuals.com]
- Abdominal Pain
Clinical findings—GI tract Chronic, watery diarrhoea, decreased weight, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting. Clinical-systemic symptoms Cholecystitis, renal failure, red eyes, photosensitivity, respiratory tract infections. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
Other microsporidiosis symptoms may include abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, weight loss, persistent cough, pain in the side (flank), muscle aches, headache, and eye inflammation with redness. Vision may be blurred. [merckmanuals.com]
The most common manifestation of intestinal microsporidiosis in HIV-positive patients is profuse, watery, non-bloody diarrhoea, sometimes accompanied by abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting and weight loss. [apps.who.int]
Other microsporidiosis symptoms may include abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, persistent cough, muscle aches and pain, headache, and eye inflammation with redness. Vision may be blurred. If infection of the eye is severe, blindness can result. [msdmanuals.com]
Liver, Gall & Pancreas
- Jaundice
Other microsporidiosis symptoms may include abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, weight loss, persistent cough, pain in the side (flank), muscle aches, headache, and eye inflammation with redness. Vision may be blurred. [merckmanuals.com]
Other microsporidiosis symptoms may include abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, persistent cough, muscle aches and pain, headache, and eye inflammation with redness. Vision may be blurred. If infection of the eye is severe, blindness can result. [msdmanuals.com]
[…] the bloodstream) can cause a variety of blood-related conditions Encephalitozoon intestinalis Infection of the epithelium of the intestine can cause diarrhea, malabsorption, and wasting (including weight loss) Infection of the liver, which can cause jaundice [dovemed.com]
Eyes
- Blurred Vision
A 28-year-old patient presented to us with multifocal coarse raised epithelial lesions in the left eye associated with pain watering redness and blurred vision with a visual acuity of 20/40 in the left eye. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Microsporidiosis Symptom Blurred Vision Blurred vision refers to a lack of sharpness of vision resulting in the inability to see fine detail. [medicinenet.com]
Neurologic
- Headache
Other microsporidiosis symptoms may include abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, weight loss, persistent cough, pain in the side (flank), muscle aches, headache, and eye inflammation with redness. Vision may be blurred. [merckmanuals.com]
Dominant symptoms include headache, seizures and vomiting. A case of pacemaker endocarditis caused by the same putative microorganism has been described, while some other species may cause myositis (i.e. inflammation of the muscles). [news-medical.net]
Other microsporidiosis symptoms may include abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, persistent cough, muscle aches and pain, headache, and eye inflammation with redness. Vision may be blurred. If infection of the eye is severe, blindness can result. [msdmanuals.com]
Symptoms can be far-ranging (depending on which species of microsporidia one is infected with) and may include: Cough, wheezing and labored breathing Atypical urinary tract infection Muscular weakness and pain Headaches and migraines Blurred vision, light [verywellhealth.com]
Workup
Standard microbiological workup was performed in all the cases. We studied the demographics, predisposing conditions, antecedent treatment received before presentation, clinical characteristics, treatment offered, and resolution time with sequel. [ijpmonline.org]
Conteas CN, Didier ES, Berlin OGW: Workup of gastointestinal microsporidiosis. Dig Dis. 1997, 15: 330-45. 14. Kumar SS, Ananthan S, Saravanan P: Role of coccidian parasites in causation of diarrhoea in HIV infected patients in Chennai. [bmcclinpathol.biomedcentral.com]
The mixture was kept at 20°C for 18 h; further workup was by previously published procedures ( 32 ). Octamines SL-11157 and SL-11158 were thus obtained (as their hydrochlorides) in 89% yields. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Treatment
No patient was lost to follow-up, and none prematurely stopped the study treatment. [content.nejm.org]
Two main clinical entities can be identified: infection by Enterocytozoon bieneusi, causing diarrhea with limited treatment options; and infection by Encephalitozoon intestinalis, which may disseminate and usually responds to albendazole treatment. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Treatment of Gastrointestinal Infections In immunocompetent hosts, the therapeutic approach is easier as these patients can receive shorter treatment courses, and the symptoms often resolve without any therapy. [news-medical.net]
Prognosis
Prognosis The prognosis may be severe in immunodeficient patients. The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. [orpha.net]
SLIDESHOW Bacterial Infections 101: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments See Slideshow What is the prognosis of microsporidiosis? In general, the prognosis of microsporidiosis in healthy individuals with a normal immune system is good. [medicinenet.com]
Etiology
The etiologic microsporidian was found to be E hellem by using antemortem biochemical and antigenic analyses. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Etiology Microsporidia are unicellular eukaryotic parasites without mitochondria and are responsible for opportunistic infections. Microsporidia are strictly intracellular parasites. [orpha.net]
Septata intestinalis ) are etiology of majority of infections. [hopkinsguides.com]
Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection is one of several infectious etiologies in traveler's diarrhea. The infection can be found worldwide. In healthy hosts, including elderly hosts, the usual presentation is self-limited diarrhea. [visualdx.com]
Epidemiology
This article reviews the basic biology and epidemiology of microsporidiosis in mammals. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Further topics discussed include the epidemiology and strain variation of Cryptosporidium parvum, the epidemiology and zoonotic aspects of microsporidia, and gene discovery in Cryptosporidium. [karger.com]
It focuses on gastrointestinal infection and nonocular manifestations of infection and provides a brief overview of epidemiology, immunology and laboratory diagnosis as it directly relates to human infections. [onlinelibrary.wiley.com]
Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology Life Cycle The infective form of microsporidia is the resistant spore and it can survive for an extended period of time in the environment. [1] The spores enter the body via ingestion or inhalation. [wikidoc.org]
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test Microsporidia are highly specialized fungi that cause a wide variety of clinical syndromes in humans. [mayocliniclabs.com]
Physiology and pathophysiology of apoptosis in epithelial cells of the liver, pancreas and intestine. American Journal of Physiology 273, G1174 – G1188. Keohane, E. M. and Weiss, L. M. ( 1999 ). [cambridge.org]
Pathophysiology Humans acquire microsporidiosis through ingestion or inhalation of microsporidia spores. [emedicine.com]
Prevention
Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-infected Adults and Adolescents. [idsociety.org]
Because of the possibility of sexual transmission, safe sexual practices are an important preventive step. At this time, there is no vaccine available to prevent microsporidiosis. [medicinenet.com]