Microspora: etiological agent in chronic diarrhoea

RESUMO

Microspora is an important pathogen in immunocompromised patients associated with disorders of respiratory, renal and intestinal tract. We have investigated microspora in 76 patients 55 males (22 HIV seropositives) and 21 females (3 HIV positives), with intermitten chronic diarrhoea, often with alternating symptomatic and asymptomatic days; can vary from one to eight loosely formed stool per day without blood and mucus, with anorexia, nausea, cramping, abdominal pain, weight loss, steatorrhea and abnormal D-xylose absorption. We have collected serial faeces samples using standard concentration for bacterial pathogens. We used the modified trichromic technique to detect sporas of microspora in stool, all state development, including apparently mature spores have been found. Microspora was diagnosed in 38 patients (50,0 pert cent), 19 seropositives 17 males and 2 females. Other enteropathogenics diagnosed were cryptosporidum parvum, 42,0 pert cent; cyclospora cayetanensis, 40,7 pert cent; entamoeba histolytica, 38,0 pert cent; blastocystis hominis, 22,3 pert cent; giardia lamblia, 14,4 pert cent; escherichia coli, 35,0 pert cent and klebsiella pneumoniae, 7,8 pert cent. The patients were treated with albendazol 400 mg twice a day during four weeks good parasitological and clinical response. Microspora was the most important protozoan observed. It has pathogenic significance as cause of chronic diarrhoea, both in immonocompromised and immonocompetent patients