Enterocytozoon bieneusi (microsporidia) in clinical samples from immunocompetent individuals in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
Microsporidia are newly emerging pathogens of humans and animals, with Enterocytozoon bieneusi being the most common causal agent in human microsporidiosis. To determine the presence of E. bieneusi, 273 clinical samples (40 urine, 156 stools, 37 sputum, 9 bronchial aspirates, 5 bronchial washes and 26 pleural fluids) from immunocompetent patients, mainly suffering diarrhoea or pneumonia, in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain were analysed using light microscopy after staining with Weber's chromotrope and by PCR/hybridisation with a specific probe designed to increase the sensitivity of the identification. In this study, detection of E. bieneusi after PCR/hybridisation is reported in 18 (11.54%) of 156 stool samples, 1 (2.5%) of 40 urine samples and 6 (16.22%) of 37 sputum samples. To our knowledge, these are the first reports of E. bieneusi in this subtropical region, showing the increased importance of these parasites as emerging pathogens worldwide.
Abreu-Acosta
Néstor
N
Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N 38203, La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain.
Lorenzo-Morales
Jacob
J
Leal-Guio
Yaiza
Y
Coronado-Alvarez
Nieves
N
Foronda
Pilar
P
Alcoba-Florez
Julia
J
Izquierdo
Fernando
F
Batista-Díaz
Ninive
N
Del Aguila
Carmen
C
Valladares
Basilio
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001266:Atlantic Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007195:Indian Ocean Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016814:Microsporidia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016881:Microsporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology