Cryptosporidium parvum and C. hominis are the most relevant species of this genus for human health. Both cause a self-limiting diarrhea in immunocompetent individuals, but cause potentially life-threatening disease in the immunocompromised.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecent studies suggest the involvement of water in the epidemiology of Cyclospora cayetanensis and some microsporidia. A total of 223 samples from four drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs), seven wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and six locations of influence (LI) on four river basins from Madrid, Spain, were analyzed from spring 2008 to winter 2009. Microsporidia were detected in 49% of samples (109/223), Cyclospora spp.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites that are recognized as important opportunistic pathogens of immunocompromised and transplanted patients. Enterocytozoon bieneusi and, less frequently, Encephalitozoon intestinalis are the most prevalent species in humans; both of them are associated with enteric infections. Cell cultures have been useful in the study of microsporidia biology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Encephalitozoon intestinalis, a parasite belonging to the phylum Microsporidia, is causes gastrointestinal infections in the immunocompromised host. A suitable pharmacologically immunosuppressed animal model for the study of natural E. intestinalis infection, which can establish the immune components that respond to this parasite, is lacking.
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