Microsporidiosis (patient information)
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Microsporidiosis |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Younes M.B.B.CH [2]
Overview
Microsporidiosis is an infection caused by an organism called microsporidia. It usually affects immunocompromised individuals such as AIDS patients. Microsporidia can affect many systems but intestinal microsporidiosis is the most common form of the disease and causes diarrhea that can be chronic and debilitating. It is diagnosed through examination of stool samples and other body fluids. Medical and supportive therapy are the treatment options and the prognosis is good unless the patient is immunocompromised.
What are the symptoms of Microsporidiosis?
- Microsporidiosis usually affects people with depressed immunity especially people with HIV.
- Microsporidia can affect many systems such as gastrointestinal tract , eyes, respiratory tract and urinary tract.
- Intestinal microsporidiosis is the most common form of the disease. It usually causes chronic diarrhea which might be complicated with weight loss, and vitamin deficiency.
- Microsporidiosis might also affect the lungs causing cough, fever and difficult breathing.
- Ocular microsporidiosis presents with red painful eye and decreased vision acuity.
- Microsporidia can spread throughout the body causing disease in the brain, urinary system, gall bladder and blood.
What causes Microsporidiosis?
- Microsporidiosis is caused by an organism called microsporidia.
- Microsporidia are unicellular organisms and are obligatory intracellular meaning that it has to live inside the cell of the host to survive and multiply.
- The exact method of transmission of microsporidia is not fully understood, but it is thought to be transmitted through inhalation or ingestion of the spores (which are the infective form of the disease).
- When the organism lands inside the cell, it multiplies and eventually ruptures causing the release of spores.
Who is at highest risk?
- People with suppressed immunity such as HIV patients and cancer patients are the most at risk individuals to have microsporidiosis.
Diagnosis
- Microsporidiosis is diagnosed through identification of the organism in the stool samples and other body fluid samples.
- Identification of the specific species through the examination of stool samples is not possible.
- However it can be achieved using more advanced methods such as PCR.
Treatment options
- The treatment strategy focuses on supportive treatment to avoid complications and medical therapy.
- Albendazole and fumagillin are the most two used drugs for microsporidiosis patients.
- Patients with diarrhea should be properly rehydrated and supplemented with the essential nutrients to avoid malnutrition.
- Supporting the immune system in immunocompromised patients (ie giving highly active antiretroviral therapy to HIV patients) is important in treating the disease and preventing any recurrences.
Prevention
- Maintaining the immune system intact in HIV patients through using antiretroviral drugs is the main preventive measure to avoid infection and recurrences.
- Other preventive measures include hand washing, safe sex practices and avoiding possibly infected foods or drinks.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
- In healthy individuals, the prognosis is good and the disease is self-limiting.
- In immunocompromised individuals, the disease is more dangerous and can be fatal.