Ülfet Çetinkaya1, Süleyman Yazar1, Salih Kuk1, Eda Sivcan1, Leylagül Kaynar2, Duran Arslan3, İzzet Şahin1. 1. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey. 2. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Encephalitozoon intestinalis in different patient groups consisting of immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The stool samples of 100 patients consisting of 25 patients receiving chemotherapy and with acute gastrointestinal complaints, 25 with bone marrow transplant and acute gastrointestinal complaints, 25 with urticaria, and 25 with growth retardation were included in the study. As control groups, 25 subjects without any chronic disease but with acute gastrointestinal complaints and 25 healthy volunteers, making a total of 50 subjects, were included in the study. E. intestinalis was investigated by IFA-MAbs and molecular methods. RESULTS: Forty percent of patients receiving chemotherapy and with acute gastrointestinal complaints, 24% of patients with bone marrow transplant and acute gastrointestinal complaints, 20% of patients with urticaria, 40% of children with growth retardation, and 28% of patients without any chronic disease but with acute gastrointestinal complaints were determined as positive. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to assess the relationship between E. intestinalis and growth retardation. We think that the reliability of the use of molecular methods, especially real-time PCR, should be improved for the diagnosis of E. intestinalis.
BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Encephalitozoon intestinalis in different patient groups consisting of immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The stool samples of 100 patients consisting of 25 patients receiving chemotherapy and with acute gastrointestinal complaints, 25 with bone marrow transplant and acute gastrointestinal complaints, 25 with urticaria, and 25 with growth retardation were included in the study. As control groups, 25 subjects without any chronic disease but with acute gastrointestinal complaints and 25 healthy volunteers, making a total of 50 subjects, were included in the study. E. intestinalis was investigated by IFA-MAbs and molecular methods. RESULTS: Forty percent of patients receiving chemotherapy and with acute gastrointestinal complaints, 24% of patients with bone marrow transplant and acute gastrointestinal complaints, 20% of patients with urticaria, 40% of children with growth retardation, and 28% of patients without any chronic disease but with acute gastrointestinal complaints were determined as positive. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to assess the relationship between E. intestinalis and growth retardation. We think that the reliability of the use of molecular methods, especially real-time PCR, should be improved for the diagnosis of E. intestinalis.