IDENTIFICATION OF ENTEROCYTOZOON-BIENEUSI SPORES IN RESPIRATORY SAMPLES FROM AN AIDS PATIENT WITH A 2-YEAR HISTORY OF INTESTINAL MICROSPORIDIOSIS

Enterocytozoon bieneusi, a microsporidian parasite, has been recognize d since 1985 as an agent of intestinal microsporidiosis leading to mal absorption syndrome, diarrhea, and weight loss in AIDS patients, Recen tly, however, we have identified E. bieneusi spores in the sputum, bro nchoalveolar lavage, and stool samples of an AIDS patient with a 2-yea r history of intestinal microsporidiosis. The spores were characterize d by Weber's chromotrope-based staining, immunofluorescence tests, and PCR, No microsporidia were detected in urine samples by the same tech niques. PCR was performed with DNAs purified from specimens with E. bi eneusi-, Encephalitozoon cuniculi-, Encephalitozoon hellem-, and Encep halitozoon (Septata) intestinalis-specific primers. Treatment with alb endazole and loperamide resulted in an improvement of intestinal sympt oms, without eradication of the parasite. To our knowledge, this is th e second report of the identification of E. bieneusi spores in respira tory and enteric samples obtained from an AIDS patient. Although no pu lmonary pathology could be established in either of these cases, it is now clear that E. bieneusi is capable of colonizing the respiratory t ract and it is suggested that investigators should be aware of the pos sibility of finding E. bieneusi spores in respiratory secretions.