This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. PCR-based methods were used to identify the microsporidian species observed in several case reports. Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype III was identified in two sibling juvenile cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) and three sibling neonatal emperor tamarins (S. imperator) by histopathology, histochemistry, electron microscopy, and PCR. All tamarins were captive-born at zoos in North America and died with no premonitory signs. The dam of the emperor tamarins was seropositive for E. cuniculi by ELISA and western blot immunodetection suggestive for vertical transmission of this infection. Disseminated microsporidiosis was diagnosed on histopathological examination of an adult female Egyptian fruit bat that died acutely. Gross findings were minimal and included poor body condition, bilateral renomegaly, and mottling of the liver. Histopathologic lesions were most pronounced in the urogenital tract and liver, and consisted primarily of inflammation associated with intracytoplasmic microsporidian spores. PCR-based methods were used to establish the identity of the microsporidian as Encephalitozoon hellem. E. hellem is considered an emerging cause of disease in humans and birds, and most commonly results in opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. This report describes the first documented case of E. hellem in a nonhuman mammalian species. Captive refugia for four species of plethodontid salamanders were established. Following this successful maintenance, two of the species presented with kyphosis. In one of these species (San Marcos salamander, Eurycea nana), microsporidial organisms within the epaxial musculature were identified in post-mortem histopathology and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction rDNA sequence as most closely similar to Encephalitozoon hellem. However, ultrastructural analysis and further rDNA sequencing suggested a new species of Pleistophora (Genbank acc. In these affected individuals, this microsporidial infection was a differential diagnosis for the cause of kyphosis resulting from reactive inflammation and fibrosis of the epaxial musculature to the parasite.
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