[Microsporidia in pediatric patients with leukemia or limphoma]

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Parasitology
• Pediatric Oncology

Background:

• Microsporidia are intracellular microorganisms known to cause opportunistic infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
• Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis are common species implicated in human disease, often presenting with diarrhea and systemic dissemination.
• There is a lack of data regarding microsporidia prevalence in pediatric cancer patients in Mexico.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence of microsporidia species in pediatric patients diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma.
• To identify specific microsporidia species using molecular methods in this vulnerable patient population.

Main Methods:

• Fecal samples were collected from thirteen pediatric patients undergoing cancer treatment.
• Microsporidia detection was performed using modified Ziehl-Neelsen and calcofluor white staining techniques.
• DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to identify Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, and Encephalitozoon hellem based on rRNA gene sequences.

Main Results:

• Morphological analysis revealed microsporidia in 7 out of 13 samples, while PCR confirmed infection in 6 out of 10 samples.
• Enterocytozoon bieneusi was identified in three leukemia patients and one lymphoma patient.
• Encephalitozoon intestinalis was found in two leukemia patients. Notably, none of the infected children presented with diarrhea at the time of sampling.

Conclusions:

• This pilot study demonstrates the presence of microsporidia in pediatric patients with leukemia or lymphoma in Mexico.
• The findings highlight the necessity of further epidemiological studies to determine the prevalence of microsporidia in this population.
• Understanding the impact of microsporidia on the clinical outcomes of pediatric cancer patients is crucial.