Related Experiment Videos
Intensity of infection in AIDS-related intestinal microsporidiosis
R Goodgame1, C Stager, B Marcantel
1Baylor College of Medicine, Medicine-Gastroenterology, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Abstract:
To quantify intensity of infection in AIDS-related microsporidiosis, 20 patients with known microsporidiosis submitted stools for quantitative spore counts after staining with a calcofluor white stain. Nine patients collected stools for 24 h, for assessment of daily spore excretion, stool-to-stool variation in spore excretion, and patient-to-patient variation in intensity of infection. The number of organisms seen in small bowel biopsy specimens from 7 patients was compared with quantitative fecal spore excretion. Fecal spore concentration in 20 patients ranged from 4.5x105 to 4.4x108 spores/mL of stool. There was a strong correlation between fecal spore excretion and duodenal biopsy spore counts (r=.82; P<.024). Microsporidium infections in AIDS patients can be quantified by counting spores in stool and by small bowel biopsy. Variations in intensity of infection from patient to patient are great and are similar to those in AIDS-related Cryptosporidium infection.
Insights
Quantifying microsporidiosis in AIDS patients is possible through stool spore counts and small bowel biopsies. Infection intensity varies greatly between individuals, similar to Cryptosporidium infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- AIDS-related microsporidiosis is a significant opportunistic infection.
- Accurate quantification of infection intensity is crucial for patient management.
- Previous methods for quantifying microsporidiosis intensity were limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reliable methods for quantifying microsporidiosis intensity in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
- To compare the accuracy of fecal spore counts with small bowel biopsy findings.
- To assess the variability of microsporidiosis infection intensity.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative fecal spore counts using calcofluor white staining in 20 AIDS patients.
- 24-hour stool collection for assessing daily and inter-patient spore excretion variability in 9 patients.
- Comparison of fecal spore counts with microsporidia counts in small bowel biopsy specimens from 7 patients.
Main Results:
- Fecal spore concentrations ranged from 4.5x10^5 to 4.4x10^8 spores/mL.
- A strong correlation (r=.82; P<.024) was observed between fecal spore excretion and duodenal biopsy spore counts.
- Significant patient-to-patient variation in infection intensity was noted.
Conclusions:
- Microsporidium infections in AIDS patients can be effectively quantified using stool spore counts.
- Small bowel biopsy provides a comparable measure of infection intensity.
- The high variability in infection intensity necessitates individualized assessment and management strategies.