Microsporidia include:
(1) Encephalitozoon hellem
(2) Encephalitozoon intestinalis (Septata intestinalis)
Cliinical features:
(1) The patient has AIDS or other severe immunodeficiency.
(2) The patient has a chronic sinusitis.
(3) The sinusitis does not respond to multiple courses of antibiotic and appropriate management for bacterial sinusitis.
(4) The patient may have a microsporidial infection elsewhere (chronic diarrhea, cholangiopathy, etc).
(5) Cultures of the sinuses are negative for bacteria and fungi.
(6) Biopsy of the involved tissue show microscoporidia.
(7) The patient improves after initiation of therapy effective against microsporidia (Albendazole, other).
(8) Exclusion of another diagnosis that can explain the findings better.
