Microscopic and PCR-based detection of microsporidia spores in human stool samples

摘要

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular fungi with a remarkable ability to infect a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. Namely,Enterocytozoon bieneusiis the most frequently microsporidia reported worldwide, and mainly associated with chronic diarrhea and wasting syndrome in AIDS patients. Microscopy and PCR-based detection techniques are effective for diagnosis and identification of species and genotypes; however, these methods should be standardized in each laboratory. In this study, we performed microscopy and nested PCR techniques with PCR product sequencing to detectE. bieneusiin human stool samples. These techniques, if applied together, might prove useful for diagnosis and future epidemiological studies of intestinal microsporidiosis in Argentina.