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[Microsporidia and cryptosporidia coinfection in an HIV-infected newborn]

R Abdelmalek1, S Anane2, N Chabchoub3

  • 1LR 05-SP-03, laboratoire de recherche, « parasitoses émergentes », institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13, place Pasteur, BP 74, 1002 Tunis, Tunisie; Service des maladies infectieuses, hôpital de la Rabta, Jabbari-Jebel Lakhdar, 1007 Tunis, Tunisie.

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|April 5, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Coinfection with microsporidiosis and cryptosporidiosis is reported in an HIV-infected newborn. Early diagnosis through systematic screening is crucial for managing these opportunistic intestinal infections in immunocompromised infants.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Microsporidiosis and cryptosporidiosis are opportunistic infections causing severe intestinal disease in immunocompromised individuals.
  • These infections pose a significant threat, particularly to vulnerable populations like newborns with HIV.

Observation:

  • A case of microsporidiosis-cryptosporidiosis coinfection was identified in a 17-day-old, exclusively breastfed, HIV-infected female newborn.
  • The newborn had no known animal contact, suggesting an alternative transmission route.

Findings:

  • Systematic stool sample screening using specific staining and PCR confirmed the coinfection.
  • Two microsporidia species (Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi) and Cryptosporidium hominis were identified.
  • Human-to-human transmission, likely from the mother, is the probable source of infection.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of systematic screening for intestinal microsporidiosis and cryptosporidiosis in HIV-infected newborns.
  • Early detection and management are vital for improving outcomes in immunocompromised infants with these infections.
  • Highlights the potential for direct human-to-human transmission of these pathogens in neonatal settings.

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