The Zoonotic Potential of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Thailand

Abstract

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most common microsporidia that causes disease in immunocompromised hosts, especially in AIDS patients. E. bieneusi has been reported in a wide range of animals, including domestic, wild and farm animals. Using molecular typing and phylogenetic analysis, the zoonotic potential of E. bieneusi to cause disease is indeed a threat. Transmission from animals to humans should be investigated and whether it occurs naturally, before we can address the whole subject of zoonotic transmission of E. bieneusi infection.