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The Journal of Small Animal Practice Aug 2023An 8-year-old female spayed Labrador retriever was presented for the evaluation of severe weight loss 10 weeks after starting an immunomodulatory treatment, including...
An 8-year-old female spayed Labrador retriever was presented for the evaluation of severe weight loss 10 weeks after starting an immunomodulatory treatment, including prednisolone and cyclosporine, for meningoencephalitis of unknown origin. Plasma biochemistry analysis showed mild to moderate increases in liver enzyme activities and a moderate decrease in urea concentration. Abdominal ultrasound revealed mild hepatomegaly and a large gall bladder with unremarkable wall and content. Cholecystocentesis was performed and bile was examined both cytologically and by molecular methods, which revealed the presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi. Treatment was initiated with albendazole but was discontinued due to the development of severe neutropenia. The medical management was subsequently changed to fenbendazole and the dog made a complete recovery. This report describes the first case of clinical manifestation and successful treatment of biliary E. bieneusi infection in a dog.
Topics: Female; Animals; Dogs; Enterocytozoon; Microsporidiosis; Bile; Gallbladder; Immunomodulation; Genotype; Feces; Prevalence; Dog Diseases
PubMed: 37017013
DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13612 -
PeerJ 2022Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites that can infect a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrates including humans and insects, such as silkworm and bees....
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites that can infect a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrates including humans and insects, such as silkworm and bees. The microsporidium can cause pebrine in , which is the most destructive disease in the sericulture industry. Although membrane proteins are involved in a wide range of cellular functions and part of many important metabolic pathways, there are rare reports about the membrane proteins of microsporidia up to now. We screened a putative membrane protein Ycf 1 from the midgut transcriptome of the -infected silkworm. Gene cloning and bioinformatics analysis showed that the gene contains a complete open reading frame (ORF) of 969 bp in length encoding a 322 amino acid polypeptide that has one signal peptide and one transmembrane domain. Indirect immunofluorescence results showed that Ycf 1 protein is distributed on the plasma membrane. Expression pattern analysis showed that the gene expressed in all developmental stages of . Knockdown of the gene by RNAi effectively inhibited the proliferation of . These results indicated that Ycf 1 is a membrane protein and plays an important role in the life cycle of .
Topics: Animals; Membrane Proteins; Microsporidiosis; Nosema; Transcriptome; Bombyx; Fungal Proteins; Genes, Fungal
PubMed: 35833014
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13530 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2022Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a common microsporidia species in humans and animals. Due to lack of effective vaccines and drugs, understanding of its epidemiological status...
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a common microsporidia species in humans and animals. Due to lack of effective vaccines and drugs, understanding of its epidemiological status and characteristics in different hosts is an important step in controlling the infection. The present study aimed at determining the prevalence of E. bieneusi in humans with diarrhea and animals in Yichun, in northeastern China, and assessing the epidemiological role of animals in the transmission of microsporidiosis. A total of 540 fecal samples were collected from diarrheal patients (n = 222) and 11 animal species (n = 318). Enterocytozoon bieneusi was identified and genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rRNA gene. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in 1.4% (3/222) of diarrheal patients, and genotype D and novel genotypes YCHH1 and YCHH2 were identified. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in wild boars (7.7%), sika deer (8.2%), dogs (3.2%), and ostriches (10.7%), and genotypes D, Type IV, Peru6, BEB6 and novel genotypes YCHA1, YCHA2 and YCHA3 were identified. Genotypes YCHH1, YCHH2 and YCHA1 were phylogenetically assigned to group 1, while YCHA2 and YCHA3 to groups 2 and 11, respectively. The finding of genotype D in humans and animals, and the identification of zoonotic genotypes Peru6, Type IV, BEB6 in animal-derived E. bieneusi isolates indicate the potential of zoonotic transmission of microsporidiosis in the investigated area. The observation of the three novel genotypes in group 1 indicates their zoonotic potential.
Topics: Animals; China; Deer; Diarrhea; Dogs; Enterocytozoon; Feces; Genotype; Humans; Microsporidiosis; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Zoonoses
PubMed: 36047999
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2022041 -
Seminars in Immunopathology May 2015Microsporidia is a group of pathogens, which can pose severe risks to the immunocompromised population such as HIV-infected individuals. The expertise to diagnose these... (Review)
Review
Microsporidia is a group of pathogens, which can pose severe risks to the immunocompromised population such as HIV-infected individuals. The expertise to diagnose these pathogens is limited and therefore their prevalence is believed to be much higher than what is currently known. In a mouse model of infections, it has been reported that CD8 T cells are the primary effector cells responsible for protecting the infected host. As the infection is acquired via per-oral route, CD8 T cells in the gut compartment apparently act as a first line of defense against the pathogens. Thus, generation of a robust CD8 T cell response that exhibits polyfunctional ability is critical for host survival. In this review, we describe the effector CD8 T cells generated during microsporidial infection and underline the factors that may be essential for the elicitation of protective immunity against this understudied but significant pathogen. Overall, this review will highlight the necessity for a better understanding of the development of the CD8 T cell response in gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and provide some insights into therapies that may be used to restore defective CD8 T cell functionality in an immunocompromised situation.
Topics: Animals; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cytokines; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; Gastrointestinal Tract; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Microsporidia; Microsporidiosis; T-Lymphocyte Subsets
PubMed: 25860800
DOI: 10.1007/s00281-015-0482-8 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2022Cases of intestinal microsporidiosis infection are underestimated and affect both immunocompromized and immunocompetent patients. Real-time PCR is superseding...
Cases of intestinal microsporidiosis infection are underestimated and affect both immunocompromized and immunocompetent patients. Real-time PCR is superseding microscopic examination for its diagnosis in medical analysis laboratories. However, few manufacturers include microsporidia in their PCR panel for the diagnosis of infectious gastroenteritis. Here, we evaluated the performances of the real-time PCR assays microsporidia generic and microsporidia typing (Bio-Evolution, France) on the Rotor-Gene Q real-time PCR cycler (Qiagen, France). We included 45 negative and 44 positive stool samples for Enterocytozoon bieneusi (n = 34, with various genotypes), Encephalitozoon intestinalis (n = 4), Encephalitozoon hellem (n = 4), and Encephalitozoon cuniculi (n = 2). We also studied a four-year survey of an inter-laboratory quality control program including 9 centers that used this commercial assay. Sensitivity and specificity of the microsporidia generic assay were 86.4% and 93.3%, respectively. Encephalitozoon hellem and Encephalitozoon cuniculi were detected by the microsporidia generic PCR assay but not by the microsporidia typing PCR assay. These results were consistent with the results of the inter-laboratory quality control program. In conclusion, Bio-Evolution Real-time PCR assays are useful tools for intestinal microsporidiosis, but negative results for microsporidia typing assays require supplementary analyses to confirm E. hellem or E. cuniculi infections.
Topics: Humans; Microsporidia; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Microsporidiosis; Enterocytozoon
PubMed: 36426934
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2022055 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022is the most common microsporidian pathogen in farm animals and humans. Although several spore wall proteins (SWPs) of other human-pathogenic microsporidia have been...
is the most common microsporidian pathogen in farm animals and humans. Although several spore wall proteins (SWPs) of other human-pathogenic microsporidia have been identified, SWPs of remain poorly characterized. In the present study, we identified the sequences of three SWPs from whole genome sequence data, expressed them in , generated a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against one of them (EbSWP1), and used the mAb in direct immunofluorescence detection of spores in fecal samples. The amino acid sequence of EbSWP1 shares some identity to EbSWP2 with a BAR2 domain, while the sequence of EbSWP3 contains a MICSWaP domain. No cross-reactivity among the EbSWPs was demonstrated using the polyclonal antibodies generated against them. The mAb against EbSWP1 was shown to react with spores in fecal samples. Using chromotrope 2R staining-based microscopy as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of the direct immunofluorescence for the detection of were 91.4 and 73.7%. Data generated from the study could be useful in the characterization of and immunological detection of the pathogen.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Enterocytozoon; Feces; Microsporidiosis; Spores
PubMed: 35795186
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.808986 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Jul 2018Microsporidia are protists close to the kingdom of fungi that may cause eye infections. Most cases are reported in Asia and affect both immunocompromised and... (Review)
Review
Microsporidia are protists close to the kingdom of fungi that may cause eye infections. Most cases are reported in Asia and affect both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Here, we report a rare case of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in an immunocompetent French patient 3 weeks after returning from India. In our patient, Weber trichrome staining of conjunctival scrapings revealed rounded elements approximately 1-3 μm in size. Conventional polymerase chain reaction analysis by ribosomal RNA subunit sequencing showed 100% identity with . Treatment by corneal debridement combined with fluoroquinolone eye drops allowed complete resolution of the lesions. Although rare, ocular microsporidiosis should be investigated in a patient who is native to Asia or has returned from an endemic area and presents with keratoconjunctivitis of undetermined etiology.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Cornea; Debridement; Eye Infections, Fungal; Fluoroquinolones; France; Humans; India; Keratoconjunctivitis; Male; Microsporidiosis; Middle Aged; Travel; Vittaforma
PubMed: 29692301
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0015 -
PloS One 2017Microsporidiosis are diseases caused by opportunistic intracellular fungi in immunosuppressed individuals, as well as in transplanted patients, the elderly and children,...
Microsporidiosis are diseases caused by opportunistic intracellular fungi in immunosuppressed individuals, as well as in transplanted patients, the elderly and children, among others. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia and decreased T cell response, neutrophil function, humoral immunity failure, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Here, we investigated the susceptibility of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type I diabetic and/or immunosuppressed mice to encephalitozoonosis by Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Microscopically, granulomatous hepatitis, interstitial pneumonia and pielonephritis were observed in all infected groups. STZ treatment induced an immunossupressor effect in the populations of B (B-1 and B2) and CD4+ T lymphocytes. Moreover, infection decreased CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and macrophages of DM mice. Furthermore, infection induced a significant increase of IL-6 and TNF-α cytokine serum levels in DM mice. IFN-γ, the most important cytokine for the resolution of encephalitozoonosis, increased only in infected mice. In addition to the decreased immune response, DM mice were more susceptible to encephalitozoonosis, associated with increased fungal burden, and symptoms. Additionally, cyclophosphamide immunosuppression in DM mice further increased the susceptibility to encephalitozoonosis. Thus, microsporidiosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of comorbidities in diabetics.
Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Disease Susceptibility; Encephalitozoonosis; Interferon-gamma; Mice; Peritoneum; Spleen; Streptozocin
PubMed: 29091912
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186954 -
Parasites & Vectors Mar 2018Cattle are commonly infected with the microsporidian parasite Enterocytozoon bieneusi. Sequence characterization of E. bieneusi in these animals at the ribosomal...
BACKGROUND
Cattle are commonly infected with the microsporidian parasite Enterocytozoon bieneusi. Sequence characterization of E. bieneusi in these animals at the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) locus had identified I, J and BEB4 as the dominant genotypes. However, current studies on E. bieneusi in dairy cattle are mostly on infection rates and genotype distribution. This study aims to examine the intragenotypic diversity within dominant E. bieneusi genotypes in pre-weaned dairy calves in Shanghai, China.
METHODS
Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes and subtypes were identified by PCR sequence analysis of ITS and multilocus sequence typing (MLST), based on material from farms. Chi-square test was used to examine differences in E. bieneusi infection rates between farms or age groups.
RESULTS
The overall infection rate of E. bieneusi was 26.5% (214/809), ranging from 12.6% (Farm 5) to 38.5% (Farm 4). Infection rates increased with age during early life, with the peak infection rate (43.0%; 43/100) occurring at six weeks. Four genotypes were present, including J (n = 145, 67.8%), BEB4 (n = 59, 27.6%), CHN4 (n = 4, 1.9%) and CHN15 (n = 1, 0.5%), with the former two belonging to Group 2 and the latter two belonging to Group 1. Differences were detected in the distribution of the dominant genotypes J and BEB4 among five study farms. Altogether, 10 multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were identified in the two dominant ITS genotypes, including MLG-J1 to MLG-J8 of genotype J and MLG-B1 to MLG-B2 of genotype BEB4. MLG-B1 and MLG-B2 were recovered in Farms 1, 2 and 5, whereas MLG-J1 to MLG-J5 and MLG-J6 to MLG-J8 were found in Farms 3 and 4, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
There is extensive genetic heterogeneity within the dominant E. bieneusi genotypes J and BEB4 in dairy calves in Shanghai, China, and MLST should be used in molecular epidemiological studies of E. bieneusi in cattle.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; China; DNA, Fungal; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Enterocytozoon; Feces; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Microsporidiosis; Multilocus Sequence Typing; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Weaning
PubMed: 29530084
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2768-x -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2021Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a common intracellular parasite that infects a wide range of hosts, including humans and companion animals, raising concerns of zoonotic...
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a common intracellular parasite that infects a wide range of hosts, including humans and companion animals, raising concerns of zoonotic transmission. However, there is limited epidemiological information on the prevalence and genotypes of E. bieneusi in sheltered dogs and cats in Sichuan province, southwestern China. A total of 880 fecal samples were collected from shelters in different cities of Sichuan province, including 724 samples from dogs, and 156 samples from cats. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was determined by sequence analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Overall, the prevalence of E. bieneusi was 18% (158/880), and the parasite was detected in 18.8% (136/724) and 14.1% (22/156) of the dogs and cats examined, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of five genotypes in dogs, including three known genotypes CD9 (n = 92), PtEb IX (n = 41), and Type IV (n = 1), and two novel genotypes SCD-1 (n = 1) and SCD-2 (n = 1). Similarly, four genotypes were identified in cats, including CD9 (n = 11), Type IV (n = 6), D (n = 4), and PtEb IX (n = 1). Genotypes D and Type IV have previously been identified in humans and are reported in sheltered dogs and cats in the present study, indicating that these animals could be as potential sources of human microsporidiosis infections.
Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; China; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Enterocytozoon; Feces; Genotype; Microsporidiosis; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Zoonoses
PubMed: 33812463
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2021029