-
Clinical Infectious Diseases : An... Jan 1993Microsporidia are obligate intracellular protozoa that parasitize both vertebrates and invertebrates and are now recognized as important pathogens in individuals...
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular protozoa that parasitize both vertebrates and invertebrates and are now recognized as important pathogens in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). We describe the clinical and morphological features of a case of pleistophora (microsporidian) myositis in a patient with AIDS and delineate the stages of the microsporidian life cycle, as visualized by light and electron microscopy. We discuss significant aspects of microsporidian infections in humans and of myopathy attributable to other causes in HIV-1-infected individuals. As far as we know, ours is only the second reported case of microsporidian myositis and the first reported case in a patient with documented HIV-1 infection.
Topics: AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Adult; Animals; Humans; Male; Microsporida; Microsporidiosis; Muscles; Myositis
PubMed: 8448294
DOI: 10.1093/clinids/16.1.15 -
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms Aug 2016Monthly samples of smelt Osmerus eperlanus (Linnaeus, 1758) were collected from July 1985 to May 1986, in the river Elbe (Germany), and examined for infections with...
Monthly samples of smelt Osmerus eperlanus (Linnaeus, 1758) were collected from July 1985 to May 1986, in the river Elbe (Germany), and examined for infections with microsporidians. Two microsporidians were found: Glugea hertwigi Weissenberg, 1911, infecting the digestive tract and Pleistophora ladogenis Voronin, 1978, infecting the skeletal musculature. G. hertwigi infection led to the formation of xenomas, whereas P. ladogensis was characterized by diffuse infections, with the production of macroscopic visible thread-like or oval-shaped infection foci. Development of G. hertwigi in the host cells showed characteristics typical of the genus Glugea. The ultrastructural development of P. ladogensis showed features typical of the genus Pleistophora, without evidence of the production of 2 types of spores. Host reaction consisted of inflammatory tissue surrounding some of the infection foci as well as phagocytosis of spores. G. hertwigi was only found in juvenile smelt (<10 cm in length), whereas P. ladogensis infected smelts from 6 to 26 cm in length. Prevalence increased with fish length to a maximum value of 9.6%. Seasonal fluctuations in prevalence of infection were also found, with the lowest value in the winter months (2.5% in January 1986) and the highest in summer (11.8% in July 1985). The differences in prevalence of infection with fish length and date of sampling were significant. Additionally, samples of smelt caught in April 1986 from the rivers Eider and Ems revealed infections with P. ladogensis in the first river system only.
Topics: Animals; Fish Diseases; Germany; Glugea; Lansoprazole; Microsporidiosis; North Sea; Osmeriformes; Pleistophora
PubMed: 27596859
DOI: 10.3354/dao03040 -
ILAR Journal 2012Pseudoloma neurophilia (Microsporidia) is the most common pathogen detected in zebrafish (Danio rerio) from research facilities. The parasite infects the central nervous... (Review)
Review
Pseudoloma neurophilia (Microsporidia) is the most common pathogen detected in zebrafish (Danio rerio) from research facilities. The parasite infects the central nervous system and muscle and may be associated with emaciation and skeletal deformities. However, many fish exhibit subclinical infections. Another microsporidium, Pleistophora hyphessobryconis, has recently been detected in a few zebrafish facilities. Here, we review the methods for diagnosis and detection, modes of transmission, and approaches used to control microsporidia in zebrafish, focusing on P. neurophilia. The parasite can be readily transmitted by feeding spores or infected tissues, and we show that cohabitation with infected fish is also an effective means of transmission. Spores are released from live fish in various manners, including through the urine, feces, and sex products during spawning. Indeed, P. neurophilia infects both the eggs and ovarian tissues, where we found concentrations ranging from 12,000 to 88,000 spores per ovary. Hence, various lines of evidence support the conclusion that maternal transmission is a route of infection: spores are numerous in ovaries and developing follicles in infected females, spores are present in spawned eggs and water from spawning tanks based on polymerase chain reaction tests, and larvae are very susceptible to the infection. 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.
Topics: Animals; Fish Diseases; Microsporidiosis; Pleistophora; Zebrafish
PubMed: 23382342
DOI: 10.1093/ilar.53.2.106 -
The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology 2000The microsporidian Trachipleistophora hominis was isolated in vitro from the skeletal muscle of an AIDS patient. Since its discovery several more cases of myositis due...
Phylogenetic relationships of Pleistophora-like microsporidia based on small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences and implications for the source of trachipleistophora hominis infections.
The microsporidian Trachipleistophora hominis was isolated in vitro from the skeletal muscle of an AIDS patient. Since its discovery several more cases of myositis due to Trachipleistophora have been diagnosed but the source of infection is unknown. Morphologically, T. hominis most closely resembles Pleistophora and Vavraia, which undergo polysporous sporogony in sporophorous vesicles, but differs from these genera in the mode of formation of sporoblasts and in the morphology of the sporophorous vesicles. Alignment and analyses of the small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences of T. hominis and several other polysporoblastic genera indicated that its closest phylogenetic relationships were with species of the genera Pleistophora and Vavraia, in line with morphological predictions. The type species of the latter two genera are Pleistophora typicalis and Vavraia culicis; these are parasites of fish and mosquitoes, respectively. These results suggest two possible routes and sources of infection to AIDS patients, these being perorally by ingestion of inadequately cooked fish or crustaceans or percutaneously during a bloodmeal taken by a haematophagous insect. Support for an insect source has been provided by recent detection of a microsporidium from mosquitoes in human corneal tissue.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Animals; DNA, Ribosomal; Humans; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Microsporida; Microsporidiosis; Molecular Sequence Data; Muscle, Skeletal; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Tissue Distribution
PubMed: 10847345
DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2000.tb00048.x -
Medicina Clinica Dec 1996The third case in the literature is reported of an infection produced by Pleistophora. The clinical detail of the three cases are discussed. Two of the... (Review)
Review
The third case in the literature is reported of an infection produced by Pleistophora. The clinical detail of the three cases are discussed. Two of the patients-including the reported one-were infected by HIV. All patients suffered from myositis with fever, resting and at palpation myalgia, and progressive weakness. Blood tests showed anaemia and high levels of muscle enzymes. Necrotic muscle fibrosis induced disabling contractures. Diagnosis was obtained by detecting the protozoon in a muscle biopsy. The spores may be detectable by means of different staining methods at light microscopy although electron microscopy remains the most reliable technique. Since this is such a rare condition there is no known treatment. Whether the albendazole could be as useful as occurs in patients infected by other genera of microsporidia in still uncertain.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adult; Animals; Humans; Male; Microsporida; Myositis; Protozoan Infections
PubMed: 9019606
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Fish Biology Jun 2012A transparent mutant tiger barb Puntius tetrazona was identified and characterized by its transparent body, which allows clear visualization of internal organs....
A transparent mutant tiger barb Puntius tetrazona was identified and characterized by its transparent body, which allows clear visualization of internal organs. Hybridization of this mutant with the albino variant produces a transparent and albinoid double phenotype, and the transparency of this mutant is controlled by a recessive allele. Light microscopic and ultrastructural examinations show that in contrast to normal individuals, transparent mutants lack iridophores, and light penetrates unimpeded through the body. Pleistophora sp. infection was observed in vivo, allowing live observation of parasite dissemination and the consequent pathological alterations in the fish body as well as the simultaneous acquisition of data on the dynamics and spatial pattern of pathogenic invasion. It is superior to common fish models, as dynamic experimental data can be obtained from individual fish.
Topics: Albinism; Animals; Chromatophores; Cyprinidae; Fish Diseases; Microsporidia; Microsporidiosis; Mutation; Pigmentation
PubMed: 22650423
DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2012.03280.x -
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology : JDD 2005Historically, severe psoriasis frequently required inpatient hospitalization for several weeks to reduce symptoms and prevent morbidity and mortality, Despite declining... (Review)
Review
Historically, severe psoriasis frequently required inpatient hospitalization for several weeks to reduce symptoms and prevent morbidity and mortality, Despite declining hospitalization rates there remain patients who undergo severe, acute psoriasis exacerbations requiring inpatient care. The majority of the literature describes the treatment of psoriasis in the outpatient setting. We review the inherent differences between the inpatient and outpatient management of psoriasis along several dimensions and discuss an approach to the inpatient treatment of severe psoriasis based upon therapeutic rate of onset, efficacy, and safety. The inpatient setting benefits from and lends itself to use of rapid acting, highly effective agents. Given the acute nature of psoriasis inpatient episodes, the risks associated with long-term use of a treatment are far less important in inpatient setting treatment planning than they are in the outpatient setting.
Topics: Biological Therapy; Hospitalization; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Inpatients; Phototherapy; Pleistophora; Psoriasis
PubMed: 16167414
DOI: No ID Found -
Parasitology Research Jul 2012Pleistophora dammami sp. n. is described from Saurida undosquamis from the Arabian Gulf in Saudi Arabia. Infection appeared as whitish cysts in the intestinal wall....
Pleistophora dammami sp. n. is described from Saurida undosquamis from the Arabian Gulf in Saudi Arabia. Infection appeared as whitish cysts in the intestinal wall. Cysts ranged in size from 1 to 4 mm. The prevalence of the infection across both fish sexes was 17.5% (24/420). Two kinds of spores were recognized, microspores and macrospores, and each were ovoid in shape. The microspores measured ~2.5 × 2.0 μm in size, while the macrospores measured ~6.0 × 3.0 μm. Ultrastructurally, the parasite did not form xenoma but it formed cysts surrounded by thick cyst wall. All stages of development as meronts, sporonts, sporoblast and spores occurred in the cytoplasm of the host cells within sporophorous vesicles. The stages of development occurred asynchronously and thus all stages were randomly distributed within the cysts. Meronts were elliptical and multinucleated, with unpaired nuclei which constantly divided giving rise to new sporonts. During the transition to sporonts, the border of the meronts increased in thickness to form dense discontinuous cell coat. Later, the sporont divided into sporoblast cells which gradually differentiated the typical organelles of the spores. In mature spores, the polar filament was arranged in 20-24 coils in two rows either side of the posterior vacuole. All ultrastructural and morphological criteria indicate that the described species belongs to the genus Pleistophora.
Topics: Animals; Chordata; Female; Fish Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Intestines; Male; Marine Biology; Pleistophora; Prevalence; Saudi Arabia; Spores, Fungal
PubMed: 22374307
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-2855-4 -
Parasitology Jan 2016A microsporidian infecting the skeletal muscle of hybrid jundiara (Leiarius marmoratus × Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum) in a commercial aquaculture facility in Brazil is...
Ultrastructure and molecular phylogeny of Pleistophora hyphessobryconis (Microsporidia) infecting hybrid jundiara (Leiarius marmoratus × Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum) in a Brazilian aquaculture facility.
A microsporidian infecting the skeletal muscle of hybrid jundiara (Leiarius marmoratus × Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum) in a commercial aquaculture facility in Brazil is described. Affected fish exhibited massive infections in the skeletal muscle that were characterized by large opaque foci throughout the affected fillets. Histologically, skeletal muscle was replaced by inflammatory cells and masses of microsporidial developmental stages. Generally pyriform spores had a wrinkled bi-layer spore wall and measured 4·0 × 6·0 µm. Multinucleate meronts surrounded by a simple plasma membrane were observed. The polar filament had an external membrane and a central electron dense mass. The development of sporoblasts within a sporophorous vesicle appeared synchronized. Ultrastructural observations and molecular analysis of 16S rDNA sequences revealed that the microsporidian was Pleistophora hyphessobryconis. This study is the first report of a P. hyphessobryconis infection in a non-ornamental fish.
Topics: Animals; Aquaculture; Base Sequence; Brazil; Catfishes; Chimera; DNA, Fungal; DNA, Ribosomal; Fish Diseases; Microsporidiosis; Muscle, Skeletal; Phylogeny; Pleistophora; Sequence Analysis, DNA
PubMed: 26522338
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182015001420 -
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology Sep 1974
Topics: Animals; Apicomplexa; Culicidae; Larva; New Zealand
PubMed: 4153436
DOI: 10.1016/0022-2011(74)90016-0