Diagnosis of Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection by western blot and the use of cross-reactive antigens for the possible detection of microsporidiosis in humans

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1992 Oct;47(4):456-62. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1992.47.456.

Abstract

Microsporidia are very primitive, eukaryotic, obligate, intracellular, protozoan parasites. Encephalitozoon cuniculi, a microsporidian originally described from a rabbit infection, has been described in humans as well as in many species of laboratory animals. We report the detection of E. cuniculi by Western blotting in a rabbit with torticollis that was obtained from an Encephalitozoon-free colony. Cross-reactivity of this serum was observed with antigens prepared from several genera of microsporidia. Identical Western blotting patterns were obtained with sera obtained from a rabbit immunized with E. cuniculi that was purified from tissue culture cells. In addition, we were able to demonstrate cross-reactivity between E. cuniculi rabbit antisera and Enterocytozoon bieneusi antigens by indirect immunofluorescent assay techniques in human intestinal biopsy samples. These cross-reactions between microsporidia may be useful in developing diagnostic tests for non-cultivatable microsporidia such as Enterocytozoon bieneusi.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Antigens, Protozoan*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cross Reactions
  • Encephalitozoon / immunology
  • Encephalitozoon cuniculi / immunology*
  • Encephalitozoon cuniculi / isolation & purification
  • Encephalitozoonosis / diagnosis*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Humans
  • Immune Sera / immunology
  • Intestines / parasitology
  • Microsporida / immunology*
  • Microsporida / isolation & purification
  • Microsporidiosis / diagnosis*
  • Rabbits

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Immune Sera