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BRIEF COMMUNICATION
Screening of individuals potentially exposed to Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection
1
Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland
2
Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
3
Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
4
Department of Gynecology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
5
Department of Animal Physiology, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland
Corresponding author
Anna Wilczyńska
Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland
Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction and Objective:
Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a species of fungus belonging to the phylum Microsporidia, potentially pathogenic to rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats, horses and humans. The aim of the study is to conduct preliminary serological and molecular monitoring of encephalitozoonosis among persons coming into contact with rabbits, i.e., a potential reservoir of E.cuniculi.
Material and Methods:
The study included 28 persons (Group 1), who had been in contact with rabbits (as the owners or veterinary staff), for a minimum of 2 years (from 2–20 years), and 20 persons who had had no such contact, who formed a control group (Group 2). Blood and serum samples were collected for molecular and serological testing for encephalitozoonosis from all the persons.
Results:
Using the Real-Time HRM PCR, the DNA of E. cuniculi was detected in blood samples obtained from 3 person in the study group, but was not detected in the control group. The presence of antibodies to E. cuniculi was demonstrated in the 4 samples of sera collected from persons who had been in constant contact with rabbits.
Conclusions:
The results obtained and the literature indicate that individuals working with animals are at increased risk of developing Encephalitozoon ciniculi, and that in the event of health problems, encephalitozoonosis should also be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a species of fungus belonging to the phylum Microsporidia, potentially pathogenic to rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats, horses and humans. The aim of the study is to conduct preliminary serological and molecular monitoring of encephalitozoonosis among persons coming into contact with rabbits, i.e., a potential reservoir of E.cuniculi.
Material and Methods:
The study included 28 persons (Group 1), who had been in contact with rabbits (as the owners or veterinary staff), for a minimum of 2 years (from 2–20 years), and 20 persons who had had no such contact, who formed a control group (Group 2). Blood and serum samples were collected for molecular and serological testing for encephalitozoonosis from all the persons.
Results:
Using the Real-Time HRM PCR, the DNA of E. cuniculi was detected in blood samples obtained from 3 person in the study group, but was not detected in the control group. The presence of antibodies to E. cuniculi was demonstrated in the 4 samples of sera collected from persons who had been in constant contact with rabbits.
Conclusions:
The results obtained and the literature indicate that individuals working with animals are at increased risk of developing Encephalitozoon ciniculi, and that in the event of health problems, encephalitozoonosis should also be considered in the differential diagnosis.
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