Open AccessCHRONIC DIARRHEA AS A RESULT OF INTESTINAL MICROSPOSIDIOSIS IN A LIVER TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT
Author(s) -
Martin Goetz,
S. Eichenlaub,
Gerd R. Pape,
Robert M. Hoffmann
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.45
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1534-6080
pISSN - 0041-1337
DOI - 10.1097/00007890-200101270-00029
Subject(s) - enterocytozoon bieneusi , diarrhea , immunosuppression , medicine , microsporidiosis , immunology , gastroenterology , organ transplantation , transplantation , protozoal disease , malaria
Microsporidia are common pathogens among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. They account for a substantial proportion of chronic diarrhea and malabsorption in acquired immune deficiency syndrome, but their appearance after solid organ transplantation has only rarely been reported. Methods. We report what we believe is the first case of documented Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection in a liver transplant recipient. Results. Our patient presented with chronic diarrhea and colicky abdominal pain. Although symptoms were severe, only mild microscopical mucosal changes were found in the intestinal tract. A modified trichrome stain of stool specimens revealed microsporidial spores, and species differentiation by restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction identified Enterocytozoon bieneusi. Albendazole therapy brought symptomatic relief but no microbiological clearance.