RESUMO
A total of 151 fecal specimens from chickens were randomly collected from local markets in Uberlândia and Belo Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, to evaluate the presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Enterocytozoon bieneusi was identified in 24 fecal samples (15.9%). This represents the first report of E. bieneusi in chickens in Brazil. All PCR-positive specimens were sequenced and 4 genotypes were identified, Peru 6, Peru 11, Type IV, and D. All four genotypes have previously been reported as human pathogens and are potentially zoonotic. Our results demonstrate that human-pathogenic E. bieneusi genotypes are present in chickens in Brazil, corroborating their potential role as a source of human infection and environmental contamination.
Assuntos
Enterocytozoon/genética , Microsporidiose/veterinária , Doenças das Aves Domésticas/parasitologia , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Galinhas , DNA Espaçador Ribossômico/genética , Enterocytozoon/isolamento & purificação , Variação Genética , Genótipo , Humanos , Microsporidiose/diagnóstico , Microsporidiose/epidemiologia , Microsporidiose/parasitologia , Doenças das Aves Domésticas/diagnóstico , Doenças das Aves Domésticas/epidemiologia , PrevalênciaRESUMO
Microsporidia are widely recognized as important human pathogens with Enterocytozoon bieneusi as the most common species infecting humans and animals, including cattle. Although Brazil has the second largest cattle herd in the world and it is the largest exporter of beef there are no data on the presence or impact of E. bieneusi on this important population. To fill this knowledge gap, fecal specimens were collected from 452 cattle from pre-weaned calves to adult cattle in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Host factors including age, gender, dairy/beef, body composition, and fecal consistency were included in the study. Using molecular methods, E. bieneusi was found in 79/452 (17.5%) fecal specimens. This represents the first report of this parasite in Brazilian cattle. A significantly higher prevalence was found in calves less than 2 months of age (27.6%) and those 3-8 months of age (28.8%) versus heifers (14.1%) and adults (1.4%) (P<0.05). Dairy cattle (26.2%) had a higher prevalence than beef cattle (9.7%) (P<0.001). No correlation was found between infection and gender, body composition, and fecal consistency. Molecular characterization of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) revealed 12 genotypes; five previously reported in cattle (BEB4, BEB8, D, EbpA and I), and seven novel genotypes (BEB11-BEB17). A phylogenetic analysis showed that 6 genotypes (D, EbpA, BEB12, BEB13, BEB15, and BEB16) identified in 18 animals clustered within the designated zoonotic Group 1 while the other 6 genotypes (I, BEB4, BEB8, BEB11, BEB14, BEB17) identified in 61 animals clustered within Group 2. The identification of genotypes in Brazilian cattle that have previously been reported in humans highlights the potential risk of zoonotic transmission and suggests that the role of cattle in transmission of human infections requires further study.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Bovinos/parasitologia , Enterocytozoon/isolamento & purificação , Microsporidiose/veterinária , Distribuição por Idade , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Brasil/epidemiologia , Bovinos , Doenças dos Bovinos/epidemiologia , Enterocytozoon/classificação , Enterocytozoon/genética , Fezes/química , Fezes/parasitologia , Feminino , Genótipo , Masculino , Microsporidiose/epidemiologia , Microsporidiose/parasitologia , Filogenia , PrevalênciaRESUMO
Morphological and molecular procedures were used to describe a new species of microsporidian that infects the muscles of the sub-opercular region and the caudal fins of the freshwater Aequidens plagiozonatus in Brazil. This microsporidian forms whitish xenomas containing variable number of spores, reaching up to ~0.4 mm in diameter. The mature spores, pyriformin shape, with slightly round ends, measured 3.4 ± 0.5 µm long and 1.9 ± 0.3 µm wide (n = 50) and showed characteristics typical of Microsporidia. The average thickness of the spore wall was 100 (96-108) nm (n = 50), and the spore wall was composed of two layers, a thin, electron-dense exospore and a thick electron-transparent endospore. The exospore was surrounded by a thin, irregular layer of granular material. The anchoring disc was mushroom-like, located in the apical region of the spore in an eccentric position relative to the spore axis, rendering bilateral asymmetry to the spore. The anterior part of the polar filament (PF) (manubrium) measured approximately 125 (122-128) nm thick (n = 30), and the angle of tilt between the anterior PF and the spore axis was ~45°; the posterior part was packed in 8-9 coils. Phylogenetic analysis showed a strongly supported clade containing family Spragueidae Weissenberg, 1976, family Tetramicridae Matthews and Matthews, 1980, Microsporidium sp. RBS1, and Kabatana spp. In conclusion, the available morphological, ultrastructural, and molecular data shows that this microsporidian is a new species belonging to group 4, classified as Potaspora aequidens n. sp. This is the second species described in the genus Potaspora.
Assuntos
Ciclídeos/parasitologia , Doenças dos Peixes/parasitologia , Microsporídios/isolamento & purificação , Microsporidiose/veterinária , Animais , Brasil , Água Doce/parasitologia , Microsporídios/classificação , Microsporídios/genética , Microsporídios/fisiologia , Microsporídios não Classificados/genética , Microsporidiose/parasitologia , Dados de Sequência Molecular , FilogeniaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Several species of microsporidia and coccidia are protozoa parasites responsible for cholan-giopathy disease in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The goals of this work were to identift opportunistic protozoa by molecular methods and describe the clinical manifestations at the gastrointestinal tract and the biliary system in patients with AIDS-associated cholangiopathy from Buenos Aires, Argentina. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 11 adult HIV-infected individuals with diagnosis ofAIDS- associated cholangiopathy. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy specimen collection and a stool analysis for parasites were performed on each patient. The ultrasound analysis revealed bile ducts compromise. An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and a magnetic resonance cholangiography were carried out. The identification to the species level was performed on biopsy specimens by molecular methods. RESULTS: Microorganisms were identified in 10 cases. The diagnosis in patients with sclerosing cholangitis was cryptosporidiosis in 3 cases, cystoisosporosis in 1 and microsporidiosis in 1. In patients with sclerosing cholangitis and papillary stenosis the diagnosis was microsporidiosis in 2 cases, cryptosporidiosis in 2 and cryptosporidiosis associated with microsporidiosis in 1. In 3 cases with cryptosporidiosis the species was Cryptosporidium hominis, 1 of them was associated with Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and the other 2 were coinfected with Cryptosporidium parvum. In the 4 cases with microsporidiosis the species was Enterocytozoon bieneusi. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that molecular methods may be useful tools to identify emerging protozoa in patients with AIDS-associated cholangiopathy.
Assuntos
Infecções Oportunistas Relacionadas com a AIDS/parasitologia , Colangite Esclerosante/parasitologia , Criptosporidiose/parasitologia , Microsporidiose/parasitologia , Infecções Oportunistas Relacionadas com a AIDS/diagnóstico , Adulto , Criptosporidiose/diagnóstico , Cryptosporidium/genética , DNA de Protozoário/genética , Fezes/parasitologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Microsporídios/genética , Microsporidiose/diagnóstico , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Estudos Prospectivos , RNA Ribossômico/genética , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Immune response to fish microsporidia is still unknown and there are current research trying to elucidate the events involved in the immune response to this parasite. There is evidence suggesting the role of innate immune response and it is clear that adaptive immunity plays an essential part for eliminating and then mounting a solid resistance against subsequent microsporidian infections. This review article discusses the main mechanisms of resistance to fish microsporidia, which are considered under four main headings. 1) Innate immunity: the inflammatory tissue reaction associated with fish microsporidiosis has been studied at the ultrastructural level, providing identification of many of the inflammatory cells and molecules that are actively participating in the spore elimination, such as macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophilic granular cells, soluble factors and MHC molecules. 2) Adaptive immunity: the study of the humoral response is relatively new and controversial. In some cases, the antibody response is well established and it has a protective role, while in other situations, the immune response is not protective or it is depressed. Study of the cellular response against fish microsporidia is still in its infancy. Although the nature of the microsporidian infection suggests participation of cellular mechanisms, few studies have focused on the cellular immune response of infected fish. 3) Immunomodulation: glucans are compounds that can modulate the immune system and potentiate resistance to microorganisms. These compounds have been proposed that can interact with receptors on the surface of leukocytes that result in the stimulation on non-specific immune responses. 4) Vaccination: little is known about a biological product that could be used as a vaccine for preventing this infection in fish. In the Loma salmonae experience, one of the arguments that favor the production of a vaccine is the development in fish of resistance, associated to a cellular immune response. A recently proved spore-based vaccine to prevent microsporidial gill disease in salmon has recently shown its efficacy by considerably reducing the incidence of infection. This recent discovery would be first anti-microsporidian vaccine that is effective against this elusive parasite.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Peixes/imunologia , Doenças dos Peixes/parasitologia , Microsporídios/imunologia , Microsporidiose/imunologia , Microsporidiose/veterinária , Vacinação/veterinária , Imunidade Adaptativa/imunologia , Animais , Peixes , Imunidade Inata/imunologia , Microsporidiose/parasitologia , Microsporidiose/prevenção & controleRESUMO
This study involved ninety five formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded duodenal biopsy specimens retrieved from hospital files that were microscopically observed for the presence of microsporidia. Eleven samples that revealed compatible organisms were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with four different protocols for the detection of Enterocytozoon bieneusi. Amplicons of the right size were obtained by at least one method for nine samples, remaining two negative ones. We report a PCR methodology that allows the use of archival specimens obtained for traditional pathology.
Assuntos
DNA de Protozoário/isolamento & purificação , Diarreia/parasitologia , Duodeno/parasitologia , Enterocytozoon/isolamento & purificação , Microsporidiose/diagnóstico , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Biópsia , DNA de Protozoário/genética , Diarreia/patologia , Duodeno/efeitos dos fármacos , Duodeno/patologia , Eletroforese em Gel de Ágar , Enterocytozoon/genética , Formaldeído/farmacologia , Humanos , Microsporidiose/parasitologia , Microsporidiose/patologia , Inclusão em Parafina , Manejo de Espécimes , Fixação de Tecidos , Preservação de TecidoRESUMO
Loma salmonae, an obligate intracellular microsporidian parasite, is the causal agent of microsporidial gill disease of salmon (MGDS), characterized by the production, growth and eventual rupture of spore-filled xenomas. MGDS in farmed chinook salmon remains occult until xenoma rupture, at which time the infected fish respond with intense branchitis and high rates of mortality. The present study showed that in experimentally infected fish the rate of change of xenoma diameter could be modelled through regression analysis, particularly through the period of 4-9 weeks post-infection, yielding the predictive equation: xenoma diameter=-42.9 microns +15.3 microns x (number of weeks post-infection). This provides a tool for diagnosticians to predict the time to xenoma rupture and hence to the initiation of the clinical phase of MGDS.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Peixes/parasitologia , Brânquias/parasitologia , Microsporídios/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Microsporidiose/veterinária , Oncorhynchus/parasitologia , Infecções Protozoárias em Animais/parasitologia , Animais , Doenças dos Peixes/patologia , Doenças dos Peixes/transmissão , Brânquias/patologia , Microsporidiose/parasitologia , Microsporidiose/patologia , Infecções Protozoárias em Animais/patologia , Organismos Livres de Patógenos EspecíficosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 1999 in the microbiology laboratory of the Fort de France University Hospital. METHOD: Retrospective study of the results of 4684 parasitological examinations of stools performed in 2704 patients between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 1999 in this laboratory. RESULTS: This survey showed the high prevalence of anguillulosis, found in 51.69% of infested patients and in 4.56% of the population studied, the ever high prevalence of non or scarcely pathogenic amoebas (Endolimax nanus, Dientamoeba fragilis, Entamoeba coli) found in 27.19% of infested patients and 1.88% of the population studied, together with that of hookworms (12.80% of infested patients and 1.13% of the population), and the persistence of lambliasis. This study also revealed the presence of cryptosporidies (7 cases) and microsporidies (4 cases) in the patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus. DISCUSSION: These results confirm the trend of the past twenty Years and the results of surveys initiated by the national statistics board (INSERM) in 1978, 1988 and 1995-1995, with the regression of bilharziosis and the persistence of anguillulosis and hookworms. CONCLUSION: The improvement in living conditions and hygiene, the combined efforts of the health care workers and Authorities in Martinique over the past 30 Years in the fight against parasites have led to a great reduction in the prevalence of classical intestinal parasitosis. However, new parasites associated with HIV infection have appeared.
Assuntos
Enteropatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Enteropatias Parasitárias/parasitologia , Infecções Oportunistas Relacionadas com a AIDS/epidemiologia , Infecções Oportunistas Relacionadas com a AIDS/parasitologia , Centros Médicos Acadêmicos , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Doenças Transmissíveis Emergentes/epidemiologia , Doenças Transmissíveis Emergentes/parasitologia , Criptosporidiose/epidemiologia , Criptosporidiose/parasitologia , Disenteria Amebiana/epidemiologia , Disenteria Amebiana/parasitologia , Fezes/parasitologia , Feminino , Giardíase/epidemiologia , Giardíase/parasitologia , Infecções por Uncinaria/epidemiologia , Infecções por Uncinaria/parasitologia , Humanos , Lactente , Enteropatias Parasitárias/prevenção & controle , Masculino , Martinica/epidemiologia , Microsporidiose/epidemiologia , Microsporidiose/parasitologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Vigilância da População , Prevalência , Estudos Retrospectivos , Esquistossomose/epidemiologia , Esquistossomose/parasitologia , Estrongiloidíase/epidemiologia , Estrongiloidíase/parasitologiaRESUMO
Xenomas of the recently described new microsporidian species Loma myrophis parasitizing the gut tissue of the Amazonian fish Myrophis platyrhynchus (family Ophichthidae) were described by light- and transmission-electron microscopy. The xenoma consisted of a thin fibrillar wall that surrounded a hypertrophic host cell cytoplasm containing numerous microsporidian developmental stages and spores. Several spores showed different stages of natural extrusion of the polar tube. Numerous longitudinal and transverse sections of the extruded polar tubes were observed in developing life-cycle stages (spores excepted), the nucleus of hypertrophic host cell, the xenoma wall and surrounding fibroblasts. The extruded polar tubes were projected in all directions with no preferential orientation. These aspects suggested that autoinfection occurred within this xenoma.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Peixes/parasitologia , Microsporídios/ultraestrutura , Microsporidiose/veterinária , Animais , Peixes , Estágios do Ciclo de Vida/fisiologia , Microscopia Eletrônica/veterinária , Microsporídios/classificação , Microsporídios/fisiologia , Microsporidiose/parasitologia , Esporos de Protozoários/ultraestruturaRESUMO
PURPOSE: To report the outcome of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) after highly active antiretroviral therapy without any specific treatment for microsporidiosis. METHODS: Case report. A 42-year-old woman diagnosed with AIDS and severe immunodepression (CD4+ of 9 cells/mm(3) and viral load of 460,000/mm(3)), antiretroviral naive, presented with cerebral toxoplasmosis and microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in the right eye documented by conjunctival scraping and electron microscopy. RESULTS: The patient was treated with a combination of indinavir, stavudine, and lamivudine, besides sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine. No specific treatment for the microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis was attempted. One month later, the keratoconjunctivitis had disappeared. CONCLUSION: This case suggests that microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in the setting of AIDS and severe immunodepression can be effectively managed with highly active antiretroviral therapy alone.