TABLE 6.

PCR-based assays for detection and molecular characterization of microsporidia^f

Species	Amplification method	Detection method(s)	Target	Sample type(s)	Reference
E. intestinalis, E. cuniculi, E. hellem	Real-time PCRe	Hydrolysis probe	SSU rDNA	Controls	477
E. intestinalis, Encephalitozoon species	Real-time PCR	FRET probes and MCA	SSU rDNA	Stool (spiked)	478
E. intestinalis	Real-time PCR	Hydrolysis probe	SSU rDNA	Stool, blood, urine, tissue biopsy specimens, and bronchopulmonary specimens	479
E. bieneusi	Real-time PCR	Hydrolysis probe	SSU rDNA	Stool	480
E. bieneusi, Encephalitozoon species	PCR-hybridization	Chemiluminescence	SSU rDNA	Stool, urine (spiked)	481
E. bieneusi	Real-time PCR	Hydrolysis probe	SSU rDNA	Stool	482
E. bieneusi, E. cuniculi, E. hellem, and E. intestinalis	PCR	Microarray	SSU rDNA	Stool	260
E. bieneusi, E. intestinalis	Real-time PCRa,b	Hydrolysis probe	SSU rDNA	Stool	266
E. bieneusi, E. intestinalis	PCR	Gel electrophoresis	SSU rDNA	Stool	483
E. bieneusi	Multiplex real-time PCR	Hydrolysis probe	ITS	Positive stool	457
Encephalitozoon species			SSU rDNA		457
E. bieneusi	PCR	Sequencing	SSU rDNA	Positive stool	37
E. bieneusi, E. intestinalis	Multiplex PCRc	Luminex	SSU rDNA	Stool	193
E. bieneusi, Encephalitozoon species	Real-time PCR	SYBR green and MCA	SSU rDNA	Stool	484
E. bieneusi, E. intestinalis	Real-time PCRb,d,e	Hydrolysis probe	SSU rDNA	Stool	485

^aE. bieneusi primers and probe are described in reference 482.

^bE. intestinalis primers and probe are described in reference 479.

^cE. intestinalis primers and probe are described in reference 457.

^dE. bieneusi primers and probe are described in reference 480.

^eSingleplex PCRs in parallel.

^fAbbreviations: SSU, small subunit; ITS, internal transcribed spacer; HSP, heat shock protein; RFLP, restriction fragment length polymorphism; MCA, melt curve analysis; FRET, fluorescent resonance energy transfer.