Microsporidiosis in Vertebrate Companion Exotic Animals

Abstract

Veterinarians caring for companion animals may encounter microsporidia in various host species, and diagnosis and treatment of these fungal organisms can be particularly challenging. Fourteen microsporidial species have been reported to infect humans and some of them are zoonotic; however, to date, direct zoonotic transmission is difficult to document versus transit through the digestive tract. In this context, summarizing information available about microsporidiosis of companion exotic animals is relevant due to the proximity of these animals to their owners. Diagnostic modalities and therapeutic challenges are reviewed by taxa. Further studies are needed to better assess risks associated with animal microsporidia for immunosuppressed owners and to improve detection and treatment of infected companion animals.

First report of fatal disseminated microsporidiosis in two inland bearded dragons Pogona vitticeps in Japan

“…Infection with microsporidian organisms has been reported in a range of reptiles, and the majority of these reports are on infection of Squamata such as lizards and snakes [ 3, 7 ]. In the suborder Iguania, Encephalitozoon lacertae was isolated from the common wall lizard, Podacris muralis [ 9 ], and was found to be morphologically similar to E. lacertae isolated from the African skink, Mabuya perrotetii [ 10 ].…”

“…In reptiles, although few reports on cases of microsporidiosis have been published, at least three genera of microsporidia have been reported: Encephalitozoon , Heterosporis and Pleistophora (syn. Glugea ) [ 3 ]. In recent years, microsporidiosis of inland bearded dragons has been reported in Austria and the USA and Encephalitozoon pogonae has been described from a fatal case of disseminated infection [ 4–7 ].…”

Microsporidiosis in Four Tortoises (Testudo hermanni boettgeri)

“…4,9 In frogs, toads, and salamanders, infections with microsporidia (among them Microsporidium spp and Pleistophora spp) have been associated with inflammation of the musculature, digestive tract, and liver. 11,14 This article describes 4 cases of microsporidiosis in tortoises (Testudo hermanni boettgeri). The animals were sent to our institute for necropsy within a 13-month period by 2 different veterinarians.…”

“…They are most closely related to zygomycetes. 7,14 More than 170 genera and approximately 1300 species are known. 2,9,13,15 They are single-celled eukaryotes (protists) that have the smallest genome of any known eukaryote.…”

“…2,15 An overview of microsporidia of veterinary interest is given in published books and reviews. 5,11,14…”