Enterocytozoon bieneusi is clinically the most significant among the microsporidia causing chronic diarrhea, wasting and cholangitis in human with immunodeficiency virus/AIDS. In diagnosis of intestinal microsporidiosis; light microscopy, electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescent microscope are used extensively. Microscopy with Calcofluor, Modified Trichrome and Acid-Fast Trichrome are standard diagnostic tests for microsporidiosis but doesn’t allow species identification. In research laboratories, species specific tests such as monoclonal antibody test and PCR are used for detection of E. bieneusi.
In this investigation totally 140 samples from different patient groups (have received a diagnosis of cancer, bone marrow transplant, patients suffering from growth retardation, itching, dermatitis, urticarial and ulcerative colitis) and together with 40 samples from two different control groups (patient have gastrointestinal symptoms without chronic disease and healthy volunteers) were examined. Consequently 180 stool samples taken from patients and control groups were investigated with immunoflourescent, conventional and molecular diagnostic methods.
In this study; 40.7% Microsporidia spp. and 12.1% E. bieneusi were found positive in patient groups; 35% Microsporidia spp. and 5% E. bieneusi were found positive in healthy control group; 60% Microsporidia spp. and 15% E. bieneusi were found positive in control group with only gastrointestinal complaints. According to these results; there is no statistically important difference between patient and control groups (p>0.05).

Aims and Scope:

1. Medical Parasitology
2. Diagnosis
3. Medical laboratory applications
4. Microsporidia
5. Molecular methods
6. Immunology