More than 500 species of microsporidia are known to infect animals. Enterocytzoon bienusi is the first species known to infect HIV-positive patients (found in 1989). The organism produces a spore borne parasitic infection and it may be a major cause of diarrhoea in HIV +ve patients.
Diagnosis is at present best made on Giemsa stained microscopy of jejunal biopsy, revealing microsporidia.
Most affected patients have severe immunosuppression, wasting and diarrhoea of up to 1 litre per day.
Symptoms are ameliorated with abendazole or metronidazole, though treatment does not erradicate the parasite.
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