Maryam Nooshadokht - Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Iraj Sharifi - Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Mohammad Ali Mohammadi - Research center for Hydatid disease in Iran, Kerman, Iran
Majid Pirestani - Deptartment of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, I. R. Iran
Afgar Afgar - Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Armina Mahootchi - Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Samira Salari - Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Zahra Babaei - Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Background and Purpose: Gastroenteritis and the clinical profile caused by Microsporidia, an opportunistic pathogen, may be severe in immunocompromised individuals, especially in AIDS patients. Conventionally, it is necessary to detect the small infective spores in stained smears. However, due to the limitations of the microscopy-based methods, several DNA-based methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have recently been developed to enhance diagnosis sensitivity. Therefore,we sought to evaluate the rate of infection in immunocompromised patients as compared with immunocompetent patients in Kerman, Iran. Materials and Methods: We collected stool samples of ۱۹۹ human subjects (۱۱۶ males and ۸۳ females), aged ۱ to ۶۹ years old. They were divided into immunocompromised (i.e., AIDS [n=۷۲] and cancer-positive patients [n=۵۹]) and immunocompetent (n=۶۸) groups. We comparatively examined the fecal materials using the microscopy and PCR methods. Results: The overall prevalence rate of Microsporidia infection was ۱۰.۰۵% (۲۰/۱۹۹). Entrocytozoon bieneusi was the only species within the Microsporidia genus that was identified in ۱۴.۵% (۱۹/۱۳۱) of the immunocompromised patients and ۱.۴۷% (۱/۶۸) of the immunocompetent individuals. Conclusion: Considering the higher prevalence rate of microsporidiosis in patients with immunodeficiency (۱۰.۰۳%), we suggest performing sensitive and specific techniques such as PCR for the detection of these parasites in immunocompromised patients.

Immunocompetent individuals, Immunocompromised patients, Iran, Microsporidia