Case series of intestinal microsporidiosis in non-HIV patients caused by Encephalitozoon hellem

Intestinal microsporidiosis is most often caused by Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and to a lesser extent by species of the genus Encephalitozoon. Until now, Encephalitozoon hellem was not clearly known to induce disease restricted to the intestine, or rarely in HIV subjects or in tropical countries. We report here 11 cases of delineated intestinal microsporidioses due to E. hellem diagnosed in France in non-HIV patients. Briefly, all patients were immunocompromised. They all suffered from diarrhoea, associated in nearly 50% of cases with weight loss. Concerning treatment, 5/11 patients had a discontinuation or a decrease of their immunosuppressive therapy, and 4/11 received albendazole. All patients recovered. Five different genotypes were identified based on the rRNA ITS sequence.

Automated summary

This study reports 11 cases of intestinal microsporidiosis caused by E. hellem in non-HIV patients in France. All patients were immunocompromised and experienced diarrhea, with nearly 50% also experiencing weight loss. Treatment included discontinuation or decrease in immunosuppressive therapy for some patients, and albendazole administration for others. All patients recovered. Five different genotypes were identified based on the rRNA ITS sequence.