We retrospectively analyzed of 211 frozen cerebrospinal fluid samples from immunocompetent persons in the Czech Republic and detected 6 Encephalitozoon cuniculi-positive samples. Microsporidiosis is generally underestimated and patients are not usually tested for microsporidia, but latent infection in immunodeficient and immunocompetent patients can cause serious complications if not detected and treated.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi * isolation & purification genetics MeSH
- Encephalitozoonosis * cerebrospinal fluid microbiology epidemiology MeSH
- Immunocompetence MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Retrospective Studies MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
Total joint arthroplasty is a commonly used surgical procedure in orthopedics. Revision surgeries are required in >10% of patients mainly because of prosthetic joint infection caused by bacteria or aseptic implant loosening caused by chronic inflammation. Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidium, an obligate intracellular parasite, capable of exploiting migrating proinflammatory immune cells for dissemination within the host. We used molecular detection methods to evaluate the incidence of E. cuniculi among patients who had total hip or knee arthroplasty revision. Out of 49 patients, E. cuniculi genotypes I, II, or III were confirmed in joint samples from 3 men and 2 women who had implant loosening. Understanding the risks associated with the presence of microsporidia in periprosthetic joint infections is essential for proper management of arthroplasty. Furthermore, E. cuniculi should be considered a potential contributing cause of joint inflammation and arthrosis.
- MeSH
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi * genetics MeSH
- Encephalitozoonosis * epidemiology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microsporidia * genetics MeSH
- Inflammation MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
Out of three genotypes of Encephalitozoon cuniculi (I-III) available for experimental studies, E. cuniculi genotype I remains the less characterized. This study describes for the first time individual phases of microsporidiosis caused by E. cuniculi genotype I and efficacy of albendazole treatment in immunocompetent BALB/c and C57Bl/6 mice and immunodeficient SCID, CD4-/- and CD8-/- mice using molecular detection and quantification methods. We demonstrate asymptomatic infection despite an intense dissemination of microsporidia into most organs within the first weeks post infection, followed by a chronic infection characterized by significant microsporidia persistence in immunocompetent, CD4-/- and CD8-/- mice and a lethal outcome for SCID mice. Albendazole application led to loss E. cuniculi genotype I infection in immunocompetent mouse strains, decreased spore burden by half in CD4-/- and CD8-/- mice, and prolongation of survival of SCID mice. These results showed Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype I infection extend and albendazole sensitivity was comparable to E. cuniculi genotype II, but the infection onset speed and mortality rate was similar to E. cuniculi genotype III. These imply that differences in the course of infection and the response to treatment depend not only on immunological status of the host, but also on the genotype causing the infection.
- MeSH
- Albendazole administration & dosage MeSH
- CD4 Antigens genetics MeSH
- CD8 Antigens genetics MeSH
- Anti-Infective Agents administration & dosage MeSH
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi classification genetics MeSH
- Encephalitozoonosis immunology parasitology MeSH
- Genotype MeSH
- Immunocompetence MeSH
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
- Mice, Inbred BALB C MeSH
- Mice, Inbred C57BL MeSH
- Mice, Knockout MeSH
- Mice, SCID MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Mice MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype III disseminated intensively into most of the organs in all strains of mice, followed by a chronic infection with massive microsporidia persistence in immunodeficient mice and a partial decrease in C57Bl/6 mice. Treatment with 0.2 mg Albendazole/mouse/day temporarily reduces the number of affected organs in immunocompetent C57Bl/6 mice, but not in CD4-/- and CD8-/- mice. The application of medication temporarily decreased the spore burden at least by one order of magnitude in all groups. These results demonstrate that the E. cuniculi genotype III infection had a progressive course and surprisingly, Albendazole treatment had only a minimal effect. The E. cuniculi genotype III spore burden in individual organs reached up to 108 or 109 in immunocompetent or immunodeficient mice, respectively; however, these mice did not demonstrate any obvious clinical signs of microsporidiosis, and the immunodeficient mice survived longer. Our findings clearly show that the survival of mice does not correspond to spore burden, which provides new insight into latent microsporidiosis from an epidemiological point of view.
- MeSH
- Albendazole therapeutic use MeSH
- CD4 Antigens genetics MeSH
- CD8 Antigens genetics MeSH
- Chlorocebus aethiops MeSH
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi genetics MeSH
- Encephalitozoonosis drug therapy microbiology pathology MeSH
- Genotype * MeSH
- Disease Models, Animal MeSH
- Mice, Inbred C57BL MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Vero Cells MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Mice MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Encephalitozoonosis is a common infectious disease widely spread among rabbits. Encephalitozoon cuniculi, is considered as a zoonotic and emerging pathogen capable of infecting both immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts. The aim of the study was to describe in detail the spread of the E. cuniculi in a rabbit organism after experimental infection and the host humoral and cellular immune response including cytokine production. For that purpose, healthy immunocompetent rabbits were infected orally in order to simulate the natural route of infection and euthanised at 2, 4, 6 and 8-weeks post-infection. Dissemination of E. cuniculi in the body of the rabbit was more rapid than previously reported. As early as 2 weeks post-infection, E. cuniculi was detected using immunohistochemistry not only in the intestine, mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, liver, kidneys, lungs and heart, but also in nervous tissues, especially in medulla oblongata, cerebellum, and leptomeninges. Based on flow cytometry, no conspicuous changes in lymphocyte subpopulations were detected in the examined lymphoid organs of infected rabbits. Cell-mediated immunity was characterized by ability of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to proliferate after stimulation with specific antigens. Th1 polarization of immune response with a predominance of IFN-γ expression was detected in spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. The increased expression of IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA in mixed samples from the small intestine is indicative of balanced control of IFN-γ, which prevents tissue damage. On the other hand, it can enable E. cuniculi to survive and persist in the host organism in a balanced host-parasite relationship. The Th17 immunity lineage seems to play only a minor role in E. cuniculi infection in rabbits.
Of four genotypes of Encephalitozoon cuniculi, E. cuniculi genotype II is considered to represent a parasite that occurs in many host species in a latent asymptomatic form, whereas E. cuniculi genotype III seems to be more aggressive, and infections caused by this strain can lead to the death of even immunocompetent hosts. Although albendazole has been considered suitable for treatment of Encephalitozoon species, its failure in control of E. cuniculi genotype III infection has been reported. This study determined the effect of a 100× recommended daily dose of albendazole on an Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype III course of infection in immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice and compared the results with those from experiments performed with a lower dose of albendazole and E. cuniculi genotype II. The administration of the regular dose of abendazole during the acute phase of infection reduced the number of affected organs in all strains of mice and absolute counts of spores in screened organs. However, the effect on genotype III was minor. Surprisingly, no substantial effect was recorded after the use of a 100× dose of albendazole, with larger reductions seen only in the number of affected organs and absolute counts of spores in all strains of mice, implying variations in albendazole resistance between these Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotypes. These results imply that differences in the course of infection and the response to treatment depend not only on the immunological status of the host but also on the genotype causing the infection. Understanding how microsporidia survive in hosts despite targeted antimicrosporidial treatment could significantly contribute to research related to human health.
- MeSH
- Albendazole administration & dosage pharmacology MeSH
- Antifungal Agents administration & dosage pharmacology MeSH
- CD4 Antigens genetics MeSH
- CD8 Antigens genetics MeSH
- Cell Line MeSH
- Chlorocebus aethiops MeSH
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi drug effects genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Encephalitozoonosis drug therapy MeSH
- Genotype MeSH
- Immunocompromised Host immunology MeSH
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests MeSH
- Disease Models, Animal MeSH
- Mice, Inbred BALB C MeSH
- Mice, Inbred C57BL MeSH
- Mice, Knockout MeSH
- Mice, SCID MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Colony Count, Microbial MeSH
- Vero Cells MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Mice MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
OBJECTIVES: Encephalitozoon spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are intracellular parasitic fungi from the phylum Microsporidia, which initially localize to the intestine. As opportunistic pathogens, Encephalitozoon spp. in particular can disseminate to the respiratory tract, among other locations. Patients on life-long immunosuppression are at higher risk of such infections, mostly symptomatic. METHODS: Sputum samples and bronchial washings from 72 renal transplant recipients and 105 patients with various respiratory diseases were screened for Encephalitozoon spp. and E. bieneusi by microscopic examination and genus-specific nested PCR followed by genotyping. RESULTS: A total of 8.3% (6/72) of immunosuppressed renal transplant recipients and 1.9% (2/105) of patients with various respiratory diseases, both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed, were positive for respiratory microsporidial infection. All six transplant recipients were Encephalitozoon cuniculi-positive by PCR/sequencing and five of them suffered from respiratory symptoms. The presence of microsporidial spores was also confirmed microscopically in three of the transplant recipients. Of the two immunocompetent patients with various respiratory diseases, one had an E. cuniculi infection, while the second had an E. bieneusi infection. CONCLUSIONS: Life-long immunosuppression in renal transplant recipients increases the risk of respiratory infection by E. cuniculi. Microsporidia should be screened in respiratory samples of these patients, particularly when they have respiratory symptoms.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi * genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Encephalitozoonosis microbiology MeSH
- Enterocytozoon genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Immunocompromised Host * MeSH
- Respiratory Tract Infections microbiology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Transplant Recipients MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Kidney Transplantation * MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Problems with parasitic infections are common in zoological gardens and circuses. In some animals it can lead to several disorders such as systemic disease, reproductive disorders (abortions and neonatal mortality), and even to death if severe illness is untreated. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of three common parasites in 74 animals from three zoos, and four circuses in Southern Italy. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi were detected in 51%, 12%, and 20% of animals, respectively. Co-infections of T. gondii and N. caninum were reported in seven animals (9%) and co-infection of T. gondii and E. cuniculi in one animal. T. gondii, N. caninum and E. cuniculi seroprevalence differed in type of diet (P ≤ 0.0001; P ≤ 0.037 and P ≤ 0.004, respectively). T. gondii and E. cuniculi seroprevalence also differed in animal families (P ≤ 0.0001) and according to type of housing (P ≤ 0.003), respectively. Statistical differences were not found in other characteristics (gender, age, country of birth, origin, and contact with cats or dogs). This is the first serological study focusing on protozoan and microsporidian parasites in zoo and circus animals from Southern Italy and the first detection of antibodies to E. cuniculi in camels in Europe.
- MeSH
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi isolation & purification MeSH
- Encephalitozoonosis epidemiology parasitology veterinary MeSH
- Coccidiosis epidemiology parasitology veterinary MeSH
- Neospora isolation & purification MeSH
- Prevalence MeSH
- Mammals * MeSH
- Seroepidemiologic Studies MeSH
- Toxoplasma isolation & purification MeSH
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal epidemiology parasitology MeSH
- Animals, Zoo MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Italy MeSH
Microsporidia are emerging pathogens which cause an opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients, especially those with AIDS. Intestinal microsporidiosis is the most recognized infection, whereas urinary tract infections caused by microsporidia are rarely paid attention to either due to their subclinical course or diagnostic difficulties. In this report dual microsporidial infection of urinary tract, caused by Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon cuniculi was described in HIV/AIDS patients under cART therapy. Since microsporidiosis can cause severe complications or even death in immunosuppressed patients, our results suggest that microsporidial infection should be included in routine investigation of HIV-positive patients, even asymptomatic.
- MeSH
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi * physiology MeSH
- Encephalitozoonosis * complications MeSH
- Enterocytozoon * physiology MeSH
- HIV Infections complications microbiology MeSH
- Coinfection MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microsporidiosis * complications MeSH
- Urinary Tract * microbiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Encephalitozoon spp. is an obligate intracellular microsporidian parasite that infects a wide range of mammalian hosts, including humans. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Encephalitozoon spp. in wild living rodents from Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Faecal and spleen samples were collected from individuals of Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus sylvaticus, and Myodes glareolus (n = 465) and used for DNA extraction. PCR, targeting the ITS region of the rRNA gene was performed. The overall prevalence of microsporidia was 15.1%. The occurrence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in the abovementioned host species of rodents has been presented for the first time, with the highest infection rate recorded for A. flavicollis. Sequence analysis showed that the most frequent species was E. cuniculi genotype II (92.5%). E. cuniculi genotypes I (1.5%) and III (6.0%) were also identified.
- MeSH
- Arvicolinae parasitology MeSH
- Animals, Wild MeSH
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi * classification MeSH
- Encephalitozoonosis epidemiology MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- DNA, Ribosomal Spacer genetics MeSH
- Murinae parasitology MeSH
- Rodent Diseases epidemiology MeSH
- Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
- Prevalence MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
