Encephalitozoonosis in household pet Nederland Dwarf rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

The paper presents the results of examination of 32 domestically bred rabbits, the breed Nederland Dwarf of Oryctolagus cuniculus, for the presence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi microsporidian species. The results of serological tests for E. cuniculi in 32 rabbits are reviewed along with other follow-up studies of clinical cases. Blood samples were taken from 7 asymptomatic rabbits and 25 rabbits showing neurological and ocular signs suggestive of encephalitozoonosis. In the asymptomatic group, 5 out of 7 rabbits were seropositive (71%). 16 rabbits with clinical diseases showed neurological sings, including torticollis, circus-like movements, loss of weight; 6 of them also showed ataxia, anorexia, asthenia of hind-limbs and 3 showed ocular signs. All 25 rabbits were seropositive. The spores of E. cuniculi were isolated from the faecal samples or kidneys and brain of an animal and subsequently were used for DNA isolation and PCR analysis.

First report on Encephalitozoon intestinalis infection of swine in Europe.

Encephalitozoon intestinalis infection of sows is reported from a pig farm in Slovakia. Spores were detected by direct microscopic visualisation in the faeces of 25 out of 27 sows (92.6%). This finding was also supported serologically by the presence of specific anti-E. intestinalis antibodies and by a species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This is the first report on E. intestinalis infection of swine in Europe.

[Host immune response in mammals to Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection]. / Imunitná odpoved' cicavcov na infekciu Encephalitozoon cuniculi.

The immunity system status of an individual plays the key role in regulation of opportune infection. In the fight against the intracellular parasites several non-specific as well as specific immunity mechanisms are applied. The dominant role in response to infection caused by the representatives of genus Encephalitozoon plays the cell-mediated immune response. Encephalitozoon cuniculi, as the most explored representative of this genus is able to survive in the host organism despite his active immunity response. Latent asymptomatic infection goes on only as long as the parasite multiplication and immune response are balanced.

[Detection of anti-microsporidial antibodies in patients with secondary immunodeficiency]. / Sledovanie výskytu antimikrosporídiových protilátok u pacientov so sekundárnou imunodeficienciou.

Microsporidia are a group of eukaryotic obligate intracellular parasites that infect most invertebrates and all classes of vertebrates, including man. In human population, microsporidia are emerging as opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised patients. Two groups of human sera (318 serum samples) were tested by ELISA for the presence of specific antimicrosporidial (anti-Encephalitozoon intestinalis) antibodies. Group 1 included 120 patients with secondary immunodeficiency, group 2 consisted of 198 immunocompetent controls. Anti-Encephalitozoon intestinalis antibodies were detected in 29 (24.16%) patients and 20 (10.1%) immunocompetent controls. The difference in prevalence of antibodies against Encephalitozoon intestinalis between the groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05%).

Immune response in mice infected by Encephalitozoon cuniculi and suppressed by dexamethasone.

Several indicators of immune response were observed in immunocompetent mice of the ICR line and those suppressed by dexamethasone upon their experimental infection with the microsporidia of Encephalitozoon cuniculi. The mice were infected by one-shot intraperitoneal administration of 5 x 10(7) pathogenic spores. On Days 7, 14, 28 and 42 after infection, peripheral blood leukocyte phagocytic activity was determined and compared, including phagocytic index and the blastogenic response in spleen cells to mitogenic activation by concanavalin A and phytohaemagglutinin. The results point to the fact that E. cuniculi itself can cause a significant decrease in phagocytic activity of phagocytic leukocytes in the early stages of infection as well as a remarkable decrease in the proliferative response of spleen cells to T-cellular mitogens.

Prevalence of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi (microsporidia) in angora goats--a potential risk of infection for breeders.

The presence of antibodies against Encephalitozoon cuniculi in Angora goats was detected by the method of indirect immunofluorescence (IFAT). The animals reacting at the titre 1: 64 and more were considered positive. Of the total number of 48 sera examined, 4 were positive at the titre 1: 32 and 2 were positive at the titre 1: 64. The occurrence of antibodies against E. cuniculi indicates that one of the causes of disorders in the reproductive cycle in Angora goats may be microsporidia Encephalitozoon cuniculi, and that these animals may be potential sources of infection for people.

An unusual manifestation of encephalitozoonosis in chinchilla rabbits.

This disease occurred in 6 rabbits in which leukemic changes after infection with the bovine leukemia virus were being studied.

Bovine leukemia virus-induced clinical signs and morphological changes of encephalitozoonosis in rabbits.

Fourteen three-month-old rabbits spontaneously-infected with the microsporidium Encephalitozoon cuniculi Levaditi, Nicolau et Schoen, 1923 were inoculated intravenously with lymphocytes (Ly) from seropositive bovine leukemia virus infected cattle (Ly/BLV) or with fetal lamb kidney cells infected with bovine fetal leukemia (FLK/BLV). Thirteen rabbits were seropositive to BLV at least for a period of three months. Six rabbits died of pulmonary lesions. Chronic inflammatory lesions of encephalitozoonosis were found in six rabbits killed between 454 and 548 days of the observation period. Five animals bore subcutaneous granulomas. Immunohistochemically, E. cuniculi was demonstrated in the inflammatory lesions of rabbits studied. Control animals also spontaneously infected with E. cuniculi did not show clinical signs of encephalitozoonosis. Morphological changes were found incidentally in the form of small glial foci and focal interstitial nephritis in these animals. The combined action of BLV-E. cuniculi on the bodies of rabbits is proposed as a suitable model for the study of encephalitozoonosis in man with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Catecholamines and encephalitozoonosis in rabbits.

Twenty four rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domestica) were used to detect specific anti-Encephalitozoon cuniculi antibodies. To identify microsporidian infection, a haemolytic test in agar gel was carried out. Blood samples of animals with and without spontaneous encephalitozoonosis were evaluated, and compared for the presence of epinephrine (EPI), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA). Rabbits infected spontaneously with E. cuniculi had significantly lower levels of catecholamines than healthy animals. This decrease in catecholamines is of special interest because of their role as factors modifying the immune response. These neuromediators also have different influences on the function of immune cells.