Phylum Microsporidia: Dangerous Waterborne Pathogens, A Review

Abstract

Phylum Microsporidia comprises from various species, number of which are pathogenic and capable of infecting humans by the means of water. Important human pathogens Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis were detected in both, ground and surface waters. Other Microsporidia species such as Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Encephalitozoon hellem but also Pleistophora spp. and Vittaforma corneae were also detected in water. Even though disinfection and filtration of drinking water is usually effective against these pathogens, malfunctions in water treatment system can lead to epidemics, such as one that occurred in 1995 in Lyon where 200 people got infected. Therefore pathogens from genus Microsporidia should be routinely monitored in drinking water, but also in water sources and recreational areas.

Surveillance of Microsporidia and Protozoan Pathogens in Pensacola Florida: A One‐year Study

“…Protozoan (oo)cysts as well as Microsporidia spores are commonly released from stools, urine, and animal carcasses and may be dispersed into water from point (i.e. septic tanks, sewage pipes) and non-point (rainfall runoff) sources (Kalinov a et al 2015;Speich et al 2016). Identification of sources of infection particularly waterborne transmission is helpful, though, effective monitoring is difficult due to the dilution that occurs as pathogens are disseminated into aquatic ecosystems.…”

“…septic tanks, sewage pipes) and non‐point (rainfall runoff) sources (Kalinová et al. ; Speich et al. ).…”