Microsporidiosis

OPPORTUNISTIC PARASITES: Microsporidia are primitive eukaryotic parasites w idespread in a large range of animal species, These opportunistic parasites can cause infections in humans, mainly in immunocompromised patients. PATHOGENIC SPECIES: Four microsporidian species are important in human path ology, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Encephalitozo on cuniculi and Encephalitozoon hellem. LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS: A difficult task, laboratory diagnosis is based on di rect microscope visualization of the parasite. Special stains not used in r outine practice are required for identifying spores. TREATMENT: Species differentiation, achieved with the polymerase drain reac tion technique, is necessary to select the appropriate treatment Treatment of the most common microsporidiosis (caused by Enterocytozoon bieneusi) wit h fumagillin is currently under assessment in an ANRS clinical trial.