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Submitted to: Veterinary Parasitology
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 9/22/2014 Publication Date: 4/6/2015 Citation: Santin, M. 2015. Chapter 8: Enterocytozoon bieneusi, pp. 149-174. In Xiao, L., Ryan, U., and Feng, Y. (eds) Biology of Foodborne Parasites. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. 507pp. 2015. Interpretive Summary: Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most frequently diagnosed species of Microsporidia in humans worldwide, mainly associated with chronic diarrhea and wasting syndrome. Human infections occur mainly, but not exclusively, in severely immunocompromised patients with AIDS. But, cases of microsporidiosis in immunocompromised persons not infected with HIV as well as in immunocompetent persons also have been reported. In addition, E. bieneusi has been identified in a variety of wild, farm, and companion mammals raising the question of the importance of animal reservoirs in the epidemiology of this parasite. Enterocytozoon bieneusi has been detected in retail fresh food produce (raspberries, sprouts, and lettuce), and it has been found to be the cause of a large foodborne outbreak in Sweden. The identification of spores of E. bieneusi in water supplies also suggests it can be a potential vehicle in the transmission of this parasite not only for humans but also for animals. This chapter summarizes available information for Enterocytozoon bieneusi organized in the following sections: Introduction; Morphology and classification; Biology, genetics and genomics; Diagnosis and typing; Epidemiology and molecular epidemiology; Enterocytozoon bieneusi in humans; Enterocytozoon bieneusi in animals; Enterocytozoon bieneusi in water; Enterocytozoon bieneusi in food; Pathogenesis and clinical features; and Treatment and prevention. This chapter is intended for use by public health specialists worldwide at local to national and global levels for purposes from laboratory identification to environmental and public health policy formulation. Technical Abstract: Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most frequently diagnosed species of Microsporidia in humans worldwide, mainly associated with chronic diarrhea and wasting syndrome. It has been recognized as opportunistic pathogens of immunocompromised patients (HIV-infected people or organ transplant recipients), but also immunocompetent individuals have been found infected. Enterocytozoon bieneusi has also been identified in a variety of wild, farm, and companion mammals raising the question of the importance of animal reservoirs in the epidemiology of this parasite. In addition, E. bieneusi has been detected in retail fresh food produce (raspberries, sprouts, and lettuce), and it has been found to be the cause of a large foodborne outbreak in Sweden. The identification of spores of E. bieneusi in water supplies also suggests it can be a potential vehicle in the transmission of this parasite not only for humans but also for animals. This chapter summarizes all available information for Enterocytozoon bieneusi organized in the following sections: Introduction; Morphology and classification; Biology, genetics and genomics; Diagnosis and typing; Epidemiology and molecular epidemiology; Enterocytozoon bieneusi in humans; Enterocytozoon bieneusi in animals; Enterocytozoon bieneusi in water; Enterocytozoon bieneusi in food; Pathogenesis and clinical features; and Treatment and prevention. This chapter is intended for use by public health specialists worldwide at local to national and global levels for purposes from laboratory identification to environmental and public health policy formulation. |
