Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of microsporidia in stool specimens isolated from multiple sclerosis patients in the west of Iran

IF 2.6 4区医学 Q3 INFECTIOUS DISEASES Infection Genetics and Evolution Pub Date : 2025-02-04 DOI:10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105720

Hadi Abbasnia , Taher Mohammadian , Mohammadbagher Khademerfan , Fares Bahrami , Mansoureh Paknejadi

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Abstract

Background

Intestinal microsporidiosis is an emerging opportunistic infection that primarily affects individuals with compromised immune systems. This study investigated intestinal microsporidia infections in individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and elucidated the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of microsporidia.

Methods

A total of 116 stool samples were collected from individuals diagnosed with MS, including 54 men and 63 women, during 2022–2023 in Kurdistan Province, western Iran. The mean age of the participants was 38.28 ± 7.8 years. RNA extraction was performed, followed by amplification of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) to identify and characterize microsporidia and their associated genetic markers. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA X software to explore the evolutionary relationships among the isolates.

Results

PCR revealed Enterocytozoon bieneusi in 5 of 116 samples (4.3 %), whereas no positive cases of Encephalitozoon species were detected. Additionally, no statistically significant associations were observed between the presence of microsporidia and variables such as age, sex, or geographic region.

Conclusion

This study highlights the clinical significance of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in immunocompromised populations, particularly in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The findings underscore the potential role of zoonotic transmission and highlight the urgent need for enhanced diagnostic capabilities and preventive strategies to combat intestinal microsporidiosis in vulnerable groups, particularly in regions such as western Iran.

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伊朗西部地区多发性硬化症患者粪便中微孢子虫的分子检测及系统发育分析

肠道微孢子虫病是一种新兴的机会性感染，主要影响免疫系统受损的个体。本研究调查了多发性硬化症（MS）患者肠道微孢子虫感染情况，阐明了微孢子虫的遗传多样性和进化关系。方法在伊朗西部库尔德斯坦省（Kurdistan Province），于2022-2023年共收集了116份诊断为MS的粪便样本，其中男性54例，女性63例。参与者平均年龄为38.28±7.8岁。进行RNA提取，然后扩增小亚基核糖体RNA (SSU rRNA)，以鉴定和表征微孢子虫及其相关遗传标记。利用MEGA X软件构建系统发育树，分析分离株间的进化关系。结果116份标本中有5份（4.3%）检出双胞虫，未检出脑囊虫。此外，未观察到微孢子虫的存在与年龄、性别或地理区域等变量之间有统计学意义的关联。结论本研究强调了双胞虫在免疫功能低下人群，特别是多发性硬化症（MS）患者中的临床意义。这些发现强调了人畜共患病传播的潜在作用，并强调迫切需要加强诊断能力和预防战略，以在脆弱群体中防治肠道微孢子虫病，特别是在伊朗西部等地区。

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来源期刊

Infection Genetics and Evolution 医学-传染病学

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

0.00%

发文量

215

审稿时长

82 days

期刊介绍： (aka Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary Genetics of Infectious Diseases -- MEEGID) Infectious diseases constitute one of the main challenges to medical science in the coming century. The impressive development of molecular megatechnologies and of bioinformatics have greatly increased our knowledge of the evolution, transmission and pathogenicity of infectious diseases. Research has shown that host susceptibility to many infectious diseases has a genetic basis. Furthermore, much is now known on the molecular epidemiology, evolution and virulence of pathogenic agents, as well as their resistance to drugs, vaccines, and antibiotics. Equally, research on the genetics of disease vectors has greatly improved our understanding of their systematics, has increased our capacity to identify target populations for control or intervention, and has provided detailed information on the mechanisms of insecticide resistance. However, the genetics and evolutionary biology of hosts, pathogens and vectors have tended to develop as three separate fields of research. This artificial compartmentalisation is of concern due to our growing appreciation of the strong co-evolutionary interactions among hosts, pathogens and vectors. Infection, Genetics and Evolution and its companion congress [MEEGID](http://www.meegidconference.com/) (for Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary Genetics of Infectious Diseases) are the main forum acting for the cross-fertilization between evolutionary science and biomedical research on infectious diseases. Infection, Genetics and Evolution is the only journal that welcomes articles dealing with the genetics and evolutionary biology of hosts, pathogens and vectors, and coevolution processes among them in relation to infection and disease manifestation. All infectious models enter the scope of the journal, including pathogens of humans, animals and plants, either parasites, fungi, bacteria, viruses or prions. The journal welcomes articles dealing with genetics, population genetics, genomics, postgenomics, gene expression, evolutionary biology, population dynamics, mathematical modeling and bioinformatics. We also provide many author benefits, such as free PDFs, a liberal copyright policy, special discounts on Elsevier publications and much more. Please click here for more information on our author services .