Microsporidiosis (patient information): Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Ahmed Younes (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
Ahmed Younes (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
==What are the symptoms of Microsporidiosis?== | ==What are the symptoms of Microsporidiosis?== | ||
*Microsporidiosis usually affects people with depressed immunity especially people with HIV. | *Microsporidiosis usually affects people with [[Immunosuppression|depressed immunity]] especially people with [[HIV]]. | ||
*Microsporidia can affect many systems such as GIT, eyes, respiratory tract and urinary tract. | *Microsporidia can affect many systems such as [[GIT]], eyes, respiratory tract and urinary tract. | ||
*Intestinal microsporidiosis is the most common form of the disease. It usually causes chronic diarrhea which might be complicated with weight loss, and vitamin deficiency. | *Intestinal microsporidiosis is the most common form of the disease. It usually causes [[chronic diarrhea]] which might be complicated with [[weight loss]], and [[vitamin deficiency]]. | ||
*Microspordiosis might also affect the lungs causing cough, fever and difficult breathing. | *Microspordiosis might also affect the lungs causing [[cough]], [[fever]] and difficult breathing. | ||
*Ocular microsporidiosis presents with red painful eye and decreased acuity of vision. | *Ocular microsporidiosis presents with red painful eye and decreased acuity of vision. | ||
*Microsporidia can spread throughout the body causing disease in the brain, urianry system, gall bladder and blood. | *Microsporidia can spread throughout the body causing disease in the brain, urianry system, gall bladder and blood. | ||
==What causes Microsporidiosis?== | ==What causes Microsporidiosis?== | ||
Microsporidiosis is caused by an organism called microsporidia. Microsporidia are unicellular organisms and are obligatory intracellular meaning that it has to live inside the cell of the host to survive and multiply. | * Microsporidiosis is caused by an organism called microsporidia. | ||
The exact method of transmission of microsporidia is not fully understood, but it is thought to be transmitted through inhalation or ingestion of the spores. | * Microsporidia are unicellular organisms and are [[Obligate intracellular parasite|obligatory intracellular]] meaning that it has to live inside the cell of the host to survive and multiply. | ||
When the organism lands inside the cell, it multiplies and eventually ruptures causing the release of spores. | * The exact method of transmission of microsporidia is not fully understood, but it is thought to be transmitted through inhalation or ingestion of the [[spores]] (which are the infective form of the disease). | ||
* When the organism lands inside the cell, it multiplies and eventually ruptures causing the release of [[spores]]. | |||
==Who is at highest risk?== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
* People with suppressed immunity such as [[HIV]] patients and cancer patients are the most at risk individuals to have microsporidiosis. | |||
People with suppressed immunity such as HIV patients and cancer patients are the most at risk individuals to have microsporidiosis. | |||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
* Microspordiosis is diagnosed through identification of the organism in the stool samples and other body fluid samples. | |||
Microspordiosis is diagnosed through identification of the organism in the stool samples and other body fluid samples. | * Identification of the specific species through examination of stool samples is not possible. | ||
Identification of the specific species through examination of stool samples is not possible. However it can be achieved using more advanced methods such as PCR. | * However it can be achieved using more advanced methods such as [[PCR]]. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
The treatment strategy focuses on supportive treatment to avoid complications and medical therapy. | * The treatment strategy focuses on supportive treatment to avoid complications and medical therapy. | ||
* [[Albendazole]] and fumagalin are the most two used drugs for microsporidiosis patients. | |||
Albendazole and fumagalin are the most two used drugs for microsporidiosis patients. | * Patients with diarrhea should be properly rehydrated and supplemented with the essential nutrients to avoid malnutrition. | ||
* Supporting the [[immune system]] in [[immunocompromised]] patients (ie giving [[AIDS antiretroviral drugs|highly active antiretroviral therapy]] to HIV patients) is important in treating the disease and preventing any recurrences. | |||
Patients with diarrhea should be properly rehydrated and supplemented with the essential nutrients to avoid malnutrition. | |||
Supporting the immune system in immunocompromised patients (ie giving highly active antiretroviral therapy to HIV patients) is important in treating the disease and preventing any recurrences. | |||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
* Maintaining the [[immune system]] intact in [[HIV]] patients through using [[AIDS antiretroviral drugs|antiretroviral drugs]] is the main preventive measure to avoid infection and recurrences. | |||
Maintaining the immune system intact in HIV patients through using antiretroviral drugs is the main preventive measure to avoid infection and recurrences. | * Other preventive measures include hand washing, safe sex practices and avoiding possibly infected foods or drinks. | ||
Other preventive measures include hand washing, safe sex practices and avoiding possibly infected foods or drinks. | |||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
In healthy individuals, the prognosis is good and the disease is self limiting. In immunocompromised individuals, the disease is more dangerous and can be fatal. | * In healthy individuals, the prognosis is good and the disease is self limiting. | ||
* In immunocompromised individuals, the disease is more dangerous and can be fatal. | |||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
Revision as of 16:53, 17 July 2017
|
Microsporidiosis |
|
Microsporidiosis On the Web |
|---|
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Please help WikiDoc by adding content here. It's easy! Click here to learn about editing.
Overview
What are the symptoms of Microsporidiosis?
- Microsporidiosis usually affects people with depressed immunity especially people with HIV.
- Microsporidia can affect many systems such as GIT, eyes, respiratory tract and urinary tract.
- Intestinal microsporidiosis is the most common form of the disease. It usually causes chronic diarrhea which might be complicated with weight loss, and vitamin deficiency.
- Microspordiosis might also affect the lungs causing cough, fever and difficult breathing.
- Ocular microsporidiosis presents with red painful eye and decreased acuity of vision.
- Microsporidia can spread throughout the body causing disease in the brain, urianry system, gall bladder and blood.
What causes Microsporidiosis?
- Microsporidiosis is caused by an organism called microsporidia.
- Microsporidia are unicellular organisms and are obligatory intracellular meaning that it has to live inside the cell of the host to survive and multiply.
- The exact method of transmission of microsporidia is not fully understood, but it is thought to be transmitted through inhalation or ingestion of the spores (which are the infective form of the disease).
- When the organism lands inside the cell, it multiplies and eventually ruptures causing the release of spores.
Who is at highest risk?
- People with suppressed immunity such as HIV patients and cancer patients are the most at risk individuals to have microsporidiosis.
Diagnosis
- Microspordiosis is diagnosed through identification of the organism in the stool samples and other body fluid samples.
- Identification of the specific species through examination of stool samples is not possible.
- However it can be achieved using more advanced methods such as PCR.
Treatment options
- The treatment strategy focuses on supportive treatment to avoid complications and medical therapy.
- Albendazole and fumagalin are the most two used drugs for microsporidiosis patients.
- Patients with diarrhea should be properly rehydrated and supplemented with the essential nutrients to avoid malnutrition.
- Supporting the immune system in immunocompromised patients (ie giving highly active antiretroviral therapy to HIV patients) is important in treating the disease and preventing any recurrences.
Prevention
- Maintaining the immune system intact in HIV patients through using antiretroviral drugs is the main preventive measure to avoid infection and recurrences.
- Other preventive measures include hand washing, safe sex practices and avoiding possibly infected foods or drinks.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
- In healthy individuals, the prognosis is good and the disease is self limiting.
- In immunocompromised individuals, the disease is more dangerous and can be fatal.