Enterocytozoon bieneusi Infection in Livestock from selected farms in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract Microsporidia are enteric intracellular pathogens infecting animals and humans. It causes life-threatening diarrhoea in humans. Microsporidia species have been isolated from several domestic and wild animals, however, data on microsporidia infection in animals in Nigeria is still very scanty. This study was conducted to clarify and improve our knowledge of the possibility of the zoonotic origin of Enterocytozoon species in the environment. Two hundred and fifty (250) animal faecal samples from various farm animals were examined for their frequency of microsporidia spores using Weber’s chromotrope stain and Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). Enterocytozoon bienuesi were detected in 6 (24.0%) turkeys, 2 (8.0 %) goats, 3(12.0 %) cattle, and 4(16.0%) rams. No reactivity was detected with other species of microsporidia by IFAT. This study confirms the presence of E. bienuesi in the animals examined and shows that animals can be a significant source of zoonotic transmission in the environment.