Identification of Encephalitozoon and Enterocytozoon (Microsporidia) Spores in Stool and Urine Samples Obtained from Free-Living South American Coatis (Nasua nasua)

摘要

This study emphasizes the importance of free-living coatis as a potential source of microsporidian infection for humans living in large cities. We found 19 (31.7%) positive results among 60 fecal samples analyzed by PCR-based analysis and the Gram-Chromotrope staining technique (11.7% were positive for Encephalitozoon cuniculi , 6.7% for E. intestinalis , 6.7% for E. hellem , and 6.7% for Enterocytozoon bieneusi ). Only 5 (8.4%) urine samples tested positive for E. cuniculi as assessed by the two techniques.