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. 1996 Jul-Sep;2(3):183–191. doi: 10.3201/eid0203.960304

Application of molecular techniques to the diagnosis of microsporidial infection.

D P Fedorko 1, Y M Hijazi 1
PMCID: PMC2626796  PMID: 8903228

Abstract

Microsporidia are now recognized as important pathogens of AIDS patients; the ability of these parasites to cause disease in immunocompetent persons is still being elucidated. Improved diagnostic tests for microsporidial infection are continually being sought for establishing diagnosis in order to avoid laborious electron microscopy studies that require invasively acquired biopsy specimens. Modified trichrome or chemofluorescent stains are useful for detecting microsporidia in bodily fluids and stool specimens, but they do not allow for speciation of microsporidia. Polymerase chain reaction with specific primers will allow the detection and speciation of microsporidia in biopsy tissue, bodily fluids, and stool specimens.

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Selected References

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