Molecular and Microscopic Detection of Enterocytozoon bieneusi Among People Living With HIV in Northwest Iran: A Cross‐Sectional Study
4 affiliations
- 1Zoonoses Research Center Research Institute for Health Development Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences Sanandaj Iran muk.ac.ir
- 2Cellular and Molecular Research Center Research Institute for Health Development Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences Sanandaj Iran muk.ac.ir
- 3Department of Parasitology and Mycology Faculty of Medicine Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences Sanandaj Iran muk.ac.ir
- 4Department of Parasitology Faculty of Medical Sciences Tarbiat Modares University Tehran Iran modares.ac.ir
Abstract
Microsporidian infections are increasingly recognized in humans and animals, with Enterocytozoon bieneusi having a broad host range and potential for zoonotic transmission. Data on its occurrence and molecular characteristics among immunocompromised populations in Northwest Iran remain limited. We investigated microsporidian infection among 161 people living with HIV (PLWH) in Kurdistan Province, Northwest Iran, using microscopic examination and nested PCR targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Microsporidia were detected in 10/161 participants (6.2%) by PCR and 8/161 (4.9%) by microscopy. All PCR‐positive specimens were identified as E. bieneusi, while no Encephalitozoon spp. were detected. In a paired analysis of the same specimens, PCR and microscopy showed 97.5% agreement (Cohen′s kappa = 0.765), and the difference in positivity rates was not statistically significant (McNemar′s exact test, p = 0.625). One PCR‐positive amplicon was successfully sequenced and showed 98%–100% nucleotide identity with sequences reported from human, animal, and environmental sources. Phylogenetic analysis placed this sequence among sequences from different host and environmental sources, indicating genetic similarity but not establishing a zoonotic transmission pathway. No significant associations were observed between infection and the demographic variables examined. The detection of E. bieneusi in this population, together with its genetic similarity to sequences from animal and environmental sources, supports further investigation of potential shared transmission sources. However, the molecular characterization remains preliminary because only a single SSU rRNA sequence was obtained. Human, animal, and environmental sampling combined with more discriminatory genetic markers would help clarify the epidemiology and transmission of E. bieneusi in Northwest Iran.
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BibTeX
@article{bahrami2026molecular,
title = {{Molecular and Microscopic Detection of Enterocytozoon bieneusi Among People Living With HIV in Northwest Iran: A Cross‐Sectional Study}},
author = {Fares Bahrami and Mohammadbagher Khademerfan and Erfan Sherifi and Yahya Maroufi and Kambiz Karimi and Amir Abdoli},
journal = {Journal of Parasitology Research},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1155/japr/5245628},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1155/japr/5245628},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Molecular and Microscopic Detection of Enterocytozoon bieneusi Among People Living With HIV in Northwest Iran: A Cross‐Sectional Study
AU - Fares Bahrami
AU - Mohammadbagher Khademerfan
AU - Erfan Sherifi
AU - Yahya Maroufi
AU - Kambiz Karimi
AU - Amir Abdoli
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/04
JO - Journal of Parasitology Research
DO - 10.1155/japr/5245628
UR - https://doi.org/10.1155/japr/5245628
AB - Microsporidian infections are increasingly recognized in humans and animals, with Enterocytozoon bieneusi having a broad host range and potential for zoonotic transmission. Data on its occurrence and molecular characteristics among immunocompromised populations in Northwest Iran remain limited. We investigated microsporidian infection among 161 people living with HIV (PLWH) in Kurdistan Province, Northwest Iran, using microscopic examination and nested PCR targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Microsporidia were detected in 10/161 participants (6.2%) by PCR and 8/161 (4.9%) by microscopy. All PCR‐positive specimens were identified as E. bieneusi, while no Encephalitozoon spp. were detected. In a paired analysis of the same specimens, PCR and microscopy showed 97.5% agreement (Cohen′s kappa = 0.765), and the difference in positivity rates was not statistically significant (McNemar′s exact test, p = 0.625). One PCR‐positive amplicon was successfully sequenced and showed 98%–100% nucleotide identity with sequences reported from human, animal, and environmental sources. Phylogenetic analysis placed this sequence among sequences from different host and environmental sources, indicating genetic similarity but not establishing a zoonotic transmission pathway. No significant associations were observed between infection and the demographic variables examined. The detection of E. bieneusi in this population, together with its genetic similarity to sequences from animal and environmental sources, supports further investigation of potential shared transmission sources. However, the molecular characterization remains preliminary because only a single SSU rRNA sequence was obtained. Human, animal, and environmental sampling combined with more discriminatory genetic markers would help clarify the epidemiology and transmission of E. bieneusi in Northwest Iran.
SN - 2090-0023
SN - 2090-0031
ER -