Spore shedding pattern of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in asymptomatic children.
Stool samples from seven human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative and two HIV-positive children with asymptomatic Enterocytozoon bieneusi infections were daily examined to quantify spore shedding using Gram-chromotrope staining under light microscopy. The spore shedding pattern and intensity in these children was variable. Mean spore concentrations in the stool samples from these children ranged from 2.4 x 10(2) to 1.2 x 10(5) spores per gram. Light microscopy could detect spores in stool specimens for 9-33 days, while PCR was able to detect E. bieneusi in stool specimens for 3-40 days longer. This suggests that light microscopy may not detect low levels of spore shedding. Considering that the asymptomatic group are a potential source of infection, detection methods with a higher sensitivity should be used.
Mungthin
Mathirut
M
Department of Parasitology1 and Department of Military and Community Medicine3, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, 315 Ratchawithi Rd, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand 2Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Subrungruang
Ittisak
I
Department of Parasitology1 and Department of Military and Community Medicine3, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, 315 Ratchawithi Rd, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand 2Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Naaglor
Tawee
T
Department of Parasitology1 and Department of Military and Community Medicine3, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, 315 Ratchawithi Rd, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand 2Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Aimpun
Pote
P
Department of Parasitology1 and Department of Military and Community Medicine3, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, 315 Ratchawithi Rd, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand 2Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Areekul
Wirote
W
Department of Parasitology1 and Department of Military and Community Medicine3, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, 315 Ratchawithi Rd, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand 2Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Leelayoova
Saovanee
S
Department of Parasitology1 and Department of Military and Community Medicine3, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, 315 Ratchawithi Rd, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand 2Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D021862:Enterocytozoon / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D016881:Microsporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity; D033761:Spores, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D016054:DNA, Protozoan