title: New insights of Microsporidial infection among asymptomatic aboriginal population in Malaysia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies on microsporidial infection mostly focus on immunodeficiency or immunosuppressive individuals. Therefore, this cross-sectional study describes the prevalence and risk factors of microsporidiosis among asymptomatic individuals in Malaysia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred and forty seven stool samples were collected and examined for microsporidia after staining with Gram-chromotrope Kinyoun. Demographic, socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioral information were collected by using a pre-tested questionnaire. Overall, 67 (15%) samples were positive for microsporidia. The prevalence of infection was significantly higher among individuals aged more than 15 years compared to those aged <15 years (OR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.08, 3.62; P = 0.028). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis confirmed that the presence of other family members infected with microsporidia (OR = 8.45; 95% CI = 4.30, 16.62; P<0.001) and being a consumer of raw vegetables (OR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.15, 3.66; P = 0.016) were the significant risk factors of this infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings clearly show that exposure to microsporidia is common among Aboriginal population. Further studies using molecular approach on microsporidia isolates from asymptomatic individuals is needed to determine species-specific. The risk factors associated with microsporidiosis will help in identifying more clearly the sources of the infection in the environment that pose a risk for transmission so that preventive strategies can be implemented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Tengku
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shahrul Anuar
authors.forename: Hesham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: M Al-Mekhlafi
authors.forename: Fatmah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Md Salleh
authors.forename: Norhayati
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moktar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D058345:Asymptomatic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016814:Microsporidia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016881:Microsporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055815:Young Adult