scholarly journals Frequent Occurrence of Human-Associated Microsporidia in Fecal Droppings of Urban Pigeons in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (22) ◽  
pp. 7056-7058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldert Bart ◽  
Ellen M. Wentink-Bonnema ◽  
Edou R. Heddema ◽  
Jan Buijs ◽  
Tom van Gool
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Enterocytozoon Bieneusi ◽  
Frequent Occurrence ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Encephalitozoon Cuniculi ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Encephalitozoon Intestinalis ◽  
Feral Pigeons ◽  
Microsporidian Infection

ABSTRACT Human-associated microsporidia were frequently observed in fecal samples of 331 feral pigeons in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, obtained during high- and low-breeding periods. Thirty-six of 331 samples (11%) contained the human pathogens Enterocytozoon bieneusi (n = 18), Encephalitozoon hellem (n = 11), Encephalitozoon cuniculi (n = 6), and Encephalitozoon intestinalis (n = 1); 5 samples contained other microsporidia. Pigeon feces can be an important source of human microsporidian infection.

scholarly journals Mammalian Microsporidiosis

2000 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Wasson ◽  
R. L. Peper
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Comparative Anatomy ◽  
Polar Filament ◽  
Enterocytozoon Bieneusi ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Encephalitozoon Cuniculi ◽  
Obligate Intracellular ◽  
Encephalitozoon Intestinalis ◽  
Potential Pathogen

The phylum Microspora contains a diverse group of single-celled, obligate intracellular protozoa sharing a unique organelle, the polar filament, and parasitizing a wide variety of invertebrate and vertebrate animals, including insects, fish, birds, and mammals. Encephalitozoon cuniculi is the classic microsporidial parasite of mammals, and encephalitozoonosis in rabbits and rodents has been and continues to be recognized as a confounding variable in animal-based biomedical research. Although contemporary research colonies are screened for infection with this parasite, E. cuniculi remains a cause of morbidity and mortality in pet and conventionally raised rabbits. In addition, E. cuniculi is a potential pathogen of immature domestic dogs and farm-raised foxes. The recent discovery and identification of Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Encephalitozoon hellem, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi, in addition to E. cuniculi, as opportunistic pathogens of humans have renewed interest in the Microspora. Veterinary pathologists, trained in the comparative anatomy of multiple animal species and infectious disease processes, are in a unique position to contribute to the diagnosis and knowledge of the pathogenesis of these parasitic diseases. This review article covers the life cycle, ultrastructure, and biology of mammalian microsporaidia and the clinical disease and lesions seen in laboratory and domestic animals, particularly as they relate to Encephalitozoon species. Human microsporidial disease and animal models of human infection are also addressed. Often thought of as rabbit pathogens of historical importance, E. cuniculi and the related mammalian microsporidia are emerging as significant opportunistic pathogens of immunocompromised individuals.

scholarly journals First Detection and Genotyping of Human-Associated Microsporidia in Pigeons from Urban Parks

2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 3153-3157 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Haro ◽  
F. Izquierdo ◽  
N. Henriques-Gil ◽  
I. Andrés ◽  
F. Alonso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Enterocytozoon Bieneusi ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Encephalitozoon Intestinalis ◽  
Prophylactic Measures ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Animal Phyla ◽  
Staining Methods ◽  
Internally Transcribed Spacer

ABSTRACT Microsporidia are ubiquitous opportunistic parasites in nature infecting all animal phyla, and the zoonotic potential of this parasitosis is under discussion. Fecal samples from 124 pigeons from seven parks of Murcia (Spain) were analyzed. Thirty-six of them (29.0%) showed structures compatible with microsporidia spores by staining methods. The DNA isolated from 26 fecal samples (20.9%) of microsporidia-positive pigeons was amplified with specific primers for the four most frequent human microsporidia. Twelve pigeons were positive for only Enterocytozoon bieneusi (9.7%), 5 for Encephalitozoon intestinalis (4%), and one for Encephalitozoon hellem (0.8%). Coinfections were detected in eight additional pigeons: E. bieneusi and E. hellem were detected in six animals (4.8%); E. bieneusi was associated with E. intestinalis in one case (0.8%); and E. hellem and E. intestinalis coexisted in one pigeon. No positive samples for Encephalitozoon cuniculi were detected. The internally transcribed spacer genotype could be completed for one E. hellem-positive pigeon; the result was identical to the genotype A1 previously characterized in an E. hellem Spanish strain of human origin. To our knowledge, this is the first time that human-related microsporidia have been identified in urban park pigeons. Moreover, we can conclude that there is no barrier to microsporidia transmission between park pigeons and humans for E. intestinalis and E. hellem. This study is of environmental and sanitary interest, because children and elderly people constitute the main visitors of parks and they are populations at risk for microsporidiosis. It should also contribute to the better design of appropriate prophylactic measures for populations at risk for opportunistic infections.

scholarly journals DNA Detection and Genotypic Identification of Potentially Human-Pathogenic Microsporidia from Asymptomatic Pet Parrots in South Korea as a Risk Factor for Zoonotic Emergence

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (23) ◽  
pp. 8442-8444 ◽  
Author(s):  
So-Young Lee ◽  
Sung-Seok Lee ◽  
Young S. Lyoo ◽  
Hee-Myung Park
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Dna Detection ◽  
Encephalitozoon Cuniculi ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Microsporidian Infection ◽  
Genotypic Identification ◽  
Genotype Ii

ABSTRACTWe detected and identified genotypes of human-pathogenic microsporidia in fecal samples from 51 asymptomatic captive-bred pet parrots in South Korea. Microsporidia were identified in 8 samples (15.7%); 7 parrots tested positive forEncephalitozoon hellem, and 1 parrot tested positive for bothE. hellemandEncephalitozoon cuniculi. In genotypic identifications,E. hellemwas present in genotypes 1A and 2B andE. cuniculiwas present in genotype II. Pet parrots might be a source of human microsporidian infection.

scholarly journals Quantitative Assessment of Contamination of Fresh Food Produce of Various Retail Types by Human-Virulent Microsporidian Spores

2007 ◽  
Vol 73 (12) ◽  
pp. 4071-4073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szymon Jedrzejewski ◽  
Thaddeus K. Graczyk ◽  
Anna Slodkowicz-Kowalska ◽  
Leena Tamang ◽  
Anna C. Majewska
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Assessment ◽  
Enterocytozoon Bieneusi ◽  
Encephalitozoon Cuniculi ◽  
Encephalitozoon Intestinalis ◽  
Fresh Food ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Food Produce

ABSTRACT This study demonstrated that fresh food produce, such as berries, sprouts, and green-leafed vegetables, sold at the retail level can contain potentially viable microsporidian spores of human-virulent species, such as Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi, at quantities representing a threat of food-borne infection.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Chlamydophila psittaci in Fecal Droppings from Feral Pigeons in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2006 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 4423-4425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edou R. Heddema ◽  
Sietske ter Sluis ◽  
Jan A. Buys ◽  
Christina M. J. E. Vandenbroucke-Grauls ◽  
Joop H. van Wijnen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Feral Pigeons ◽  
Chlamydophila Psittaci

ABSTRACT In many cities, the feral rock dove is an abundant bird species that can harbor Chlamydophila psittaci. We determined the prevalence and genotype of C. psittaci in fresh fecal samples from feral pigeons in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The prevalence was 7.9% overall (26/331; 95% confidence interval, 5 to 11). Ten genotyped PCR-positive samples were all genotype B.

scholarly journals In Vitro Susceptibilities of the MicrosporidiaEncephalitozoon cuniculi, Encephalitozoon hellem, and Encephalitozoon intestinalis to Albendazole and Its Sulfoxide and Sulfone Metabolites

1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 3301-3303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Ridoux ◽  
Michel Drancourt
Keyword(s):  
Encephalitozoon Cuniculi ◽  
Albendazole Sulfoxide ◽  
Encephalitozoon Intestinalis ◽  
Degree Of Oxidation ◽  
Albendazole Sulfone

ABSTRACT In vitro comparisons demonstrated that the efficacy of albendazole, albendazole-sulfoxide, and albendazole-sulfone against pathogenicEncephalitozoon species was proportional to the degree of oxidation at a concentration of >10−3 μg/ml. Furthermore, at a concentration of <10−2 μg/ml, benzimidazoles were more effective against Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Encephalitozoon hellem than againstEncephalitozoon intestinalis.

scholarly journals Screening of opportunistic Encephalitozoon intestinalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in immunocompromised patients in Slovakia

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 330-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Halánová ◽  
Alexandra Valenčáková ◽  
Pavol Jarčuška ◽  
Miloš Halán ◽  
Oľga Danišová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enterocytozoon Bieneusi ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
Encephalitozoon Intestinalis

Efficacy of a Sanitizer and Disinfectants To Inactivate Encephalitozoon intestinalis Spores

2007 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 681-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
YNES R. ORTEGA ◽  
MARIA P. TORRES ◽  
SIARA VAN EXEL ◽  
LAUREN MOSS ◽  
VITALIANO CAMA
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Ammonium Hydroxide ◽  
Enterocytozoon Bieneusi ◽  
Gastrointestinal Illness ◽  
Peroxyacetic Acid ◽  
Spore Viability ◽  
Dimethyl Benzyl ◽  
Encephalitozoon Intestinalis ◽  
Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium

The order Microsporidia contains a number of ubiquitous pathogens that can infect various animals, including humans. Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis have been associated with gastrointestinal illness in humans. The effect of four disinfectants—ammonium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and two commercial disinfectants containing peroxyacetic acid (Tsunami) and N-alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (Timsen)—on E. intestinalis spores was examined using exposure times of 1, 5, and 15 min. Spore viability was determined in vitro with RK-13 cells. Hydrogen peroxide was most efficient at inactivating microsporidial spores at all tested concentrations and treatment times, whereas ammonium hydroxide was effective only at the highest concentration at all exposure times. Tsunami (40 μg/ml) and Timsen (200 and 400 ppm) could inactivate spores when incubated for 5 and 15 min.

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