PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL ENCEPHALITOZOONOSIS IN MEXICO

Infections with Encephalitozoon (phylum Microspora) protozoa in immuno deficient patients have emerged worldwide. The prevalence of infection s due to Encephalitozoon species in nonclinical populations remains un clear, We conducted a cross-sectional survey of two rural highland vil lages in Mexico by using monoclonal antibody 3B6 to Encephalitozoon in immunofluorescence to assess the prevalence of Encephalitozoon spores in human stools, We found that 20 (7.84%) of the 255 subjects were po sitive and that 15 (21.4%) of the 70 households had at least one membe r who was positive, These results suggest that Encephalitozoon species , most likely Encephalitozoon intestinalis, may be commonly present in community settings.