Diagnostic pathology of microsporidiosis.
Microsporidia are ubiquitous spore-forming parasites that are important worldwide pathogens in the HIV/AIDS pandemic. They are also increasingly being seen in HIV(-) individuals. Infection has been documented in almost every tissue and organ in the body and in a broad spectrum of cell types, including epithelial, mesenchymal, and neural. Microsporidia elicit a wide range of pathology, e.g., inflammation and cell death, and symptoms, e.g., shortness of breath, sinusitis, and diarrhea with wasting. Untreated, microsporidiosis has been documented as a cause of death.
Orenstein
Jan M
JM
Department of Pathology, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037, USA. jorenstein@mfa.gwu.edu
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D016816:Microsporida / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016881:Microsporidiosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology