Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Studying Inherited Immunity in a Caenorhabditis elegans Model of Microsporidia Infection
09:24

Studying Inherited Immunity in a Caenorhabditis elegans Model of Microsporidia Infection

Published on: April 6, 2022

2.0K

Extraintestinal microsporidiosis

Poornima Ramanan1, Bobbi S Pritt2

  • 1Division of Infectious diseases, Mayo Clinic Health System-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|May 16, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Microsporidia, fungi-related intracellular organisms, are increasingly causing extraintestinal infections in immunocompromised individuals. Early diagnosis of these infections is crucial to prevent severe illness and death.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites, evolutionarily linked to fungi.
  • While known for causing diarrhea in AIDS patients, they increasingly cause extraintestinal infections in immunocompromised hosts.
  • Extraintestinal microsporidiosis presents a growing clinical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the increasing incidence of extraintestinal microsporidiosis.
  • To emphasize the diagnostic challenges and importance of early detection.
  • To review current diagnostic methodologies for microsporidial infections.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on microsporidial infections.
  • Analysis of diagnostic techniques including light microscopy, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and molecular methods.
  • Discussion of clinical manifestations and host factors.

Main Results:

  • Extraintestinal microsporidiosis is reported with rising frequency, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
  • Light microscopy with various stains is the primary diagnostic tool for initial identification.
  • Advanced methods like electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and molecular assays are required for precise genus and species identification.

Conclusions:

  • Early and accurate diagnosis of extraintestinal microsporidiosis is critical.
  • Timely diagnosis can significantly reduce associated morbidity and mortality.
  • Further research into novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies is warranted.

More Related Videos

In Vivo Tracking of Edema Development and Microvascular Pathology in a Model of Experimental Cerebral Malaria Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging09:04

In Vivo Tracking of Edema Development and Microvascular Pathology in a Model of Experimental Cerebral Malaria Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: June 8, 2017

5.9K
Myeloid Cell Isolation from Mouse Skin and Draining Lymph Node Following Intradermal Immunization with Live Attenuated Plasmodium Sporozoites08:46

Myeloid Cell Isolation from Mouse Skin and Draining Lymph Node Following Intradermal Immunization with Live Attenuated Plasmodium Sporozoites

Published on: May 18, 2016

17.2K

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
782
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
1.8K
Symbiosis00:58

Symbiosis

Symbiotic relationships are long-term, close interactions between individuals of different species that affect the distribution and abundance of those species. When a relationship is beneficial to both species, this is called mutualism. When the relationship is beneficial to one species but neither beneficial nor harmful to the other species, this is called commensalism. When one organism is harmed to benefit another, the relationship is known as parasitism. These types of relationships often...
27.8K
Diversity of Protists I01:15

Diversity of Protists I

Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...
2.3K
Microbial Interactions: Parasitism01:22

Microbial Interactions: Parasitism

Parasitism is a form of microbial interaction in which parasitic microbes exploit a host organism for nutrients and shelter, often at the host's expense. Unlike mutualistic relationships, where both organisms benefit, parasitism benefits only the parasite and harms the host.Classification of ParasitesMicrobial parasites are broadly classified based on their location relative to the host.Ectoparasites remain on the host’s surface, such as the skin or outer tissues, drawing nutrients...
107
Diversity of Protists II01:27

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
2.3K