2005/08/19 by Néstor Abreu‐Acosta, Jacob Lorenzo‐Morales, Yaiza Leal-Guio +7 · 1 citation
Immunology and Microbiology · #Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics #Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies
paper · doi:10.1016/j.trstmh.2005.05.010
openalex publication_date 2005/08/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/03
Microsporidia are newly emerging pathogens of humans and animals, with Enterocytozoon bieneusi being the most common causal agent in human microsporidiosis. To determine the presence of E. bieneusi, 273 clinical samples (40 urine, 156 stools, 37 sputum, 9 bronchial aspirates, 5 bronchial washes and 26 pleural fluids) from immunocompetent patients, mainly suffering diarrhoea or pneumonia, in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain were analysed using light microscopy after staining with Weber's chromotrope and by PCR/hybridisation with a specific probe designed to increase the sensitivity of the identification. In this study, detection of E. bieneusi after PCR/hybridisation is reported in 18 (11.54%) of 156 stool samples, 1 (2.5%) of 40 urine samples and 6 (16.22%) of 37 sputum samples. To our knowledge, these are the first reports of E. bieneusi in this subtropical region, showing the increased importance of these parasites as emerging pathogens worldwide.