Research progress in detection methods of human microsporidia

Abstract:

Microsporidia is a type of obligate intracellular parasitic single-cell eukaryote. It is a fungal pathogen causing by microsporidiosis. More than 1500 microsporidians have been identified. Among them, 17 species in 9 genera can infect humans. Human microsporidia can infect the intestine, liver, lungs, brain and other parts, causing chronic diarrhea, hepatitis, keratitis, encephalitis and systemic infections. Exploration and development of rapid and efficient human microsporidia diagnostic methods are thus important for pathogenic microorganism detection. Conventional detection methods include transmission Hematoxylin-eosin stain (EM), Hematoxylin-eosin stain, Methylene blue, Giemsa, Gram stain, Weber's Chromotrope-based staining, Calcofluor White staining, microsporidian antigen, antibody detections, quantitative real-time PCR, loop-mediated isothermal amplification and DNA dot hybridization model. The development of detection methods would greatly aid the research of microsporidia infection and control.