title: Encephalitozoon cuniculi: light and electron microscopic evidence for di-, tetra-, and octosporous sporogony and a note on the molecular phylogeny of encephalitozoonidae.
abstract: We demonstrate, based on the light, electron microscopic, and immunofluorescence studies carried out on two isolates of Encephalitozoon cuniculi established in culture, that E. cuniculi exhibits di-, tri-, tetra- and octosporous sporogony. We therefore propose that the generic characters of Encephalitozoon should be amended to include tetra-sporous sporogony as generic features. Additionally, the molecular phylogenetic analysis indicates that E. cuniculi, E. hellem, and E. (Septata) intestinalis form a cohesive group.
authors.affiliation: Division of Parasitic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3724, USA. GSV1@CDC.GOV
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Visvesvara
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Leitch
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Pieniazek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D016819:Encephalitozoon / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D009670:Encephalitozoon cuniculi / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010802:Phylogeny; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D013170:Spores / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal