Frequency of microsporidial spores in bronchial lavage samples from immunocompetent patients with pulmonary disorders using PCR

Background and Aim: Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites. Some microsporidia species can cause pulmonary microsporidiosis by colonizing the lower respiratory tract of the host. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of microsporidia in patients with lung disease whose immune systems are not suppressed. Methods: This study included 65 patients who were admitted to the …University … Medical Center Hospital, underwent bronchial lavage, and were confirmed to be HIV-negative. Patients with conditions that weaken the immune system, such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or chronic kidney failure, or those who were taking immunosuppressive medications were excluded from the study. To investigate the presence of microsporidia, bronchial lavage samples obtained from patients were examined using modified trichrome staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Results: Examinations revealed pulmonary microsporidiosis in three patients (4.6%). However, microsporidia spores were only found in one patient (1.5%) using the modified trichrome staining method. Conclusion: As a result, we believe that microsporidia should be considered in patients with lung disease, regardless of the immune status.