Microsporidia

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020

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Synonym(s)

Microspora; Microsporidia

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Microsporidia are unicellular, obligate intracellular, mitochondria-free fungi of which there are about 12200 species. Microsporidia were formerly classified as protozoa. In immunocompetent people they are pathogens of microsporidiosis

Microsporidia can reach a size of a few µm (2-12 µm). Microspora usually parasitize intracellularly in representatives of many animal strains.

PathogenThis section has been translated automatically.

Only a few pathogens appear as pathogens:

  • Enterocytozoon bieneusi
  • intestinal encephalitozoon
  • Encephalitozoon cuniculi
  • Microsporidium africanum
  • vittaforma corneum

Transmission occurs by uptake of unicellular, environmentally stable spores from animals to humans by smear infection.

Clinical pictureThis section has been translated automatically.

Especially in HIV-infected persons (T-helper number a100/μl) the clinical picture of microsporidiosis can develop, which manifests itself through a chronic aqueous diarrhoea with malabsorption, gfls. cholangitis, hepatitis, keratoconjunctivitis, peritonitis, sinusitis. Dissemination with encephalitis is very rare.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Han B et al (2018) Therapeutic targets for the treatment of microsporidiosis in humans. Expert Opinion Ther Targets 22:903-915.
  2. Leroy J et al (2018) Case Report: Ocular Microsporidiosis: Case in a Patient Returning from India and Review of the Literature. At J Trop Med Hyg 99:90-93.
  3. Ramanan P et al (2014) Extraintestinal microsporidiosis. J Clin Microbiol 52:3839-3844.

Authors

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer