Diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis in man by serological tests

Abstract

Encephalitozoon cuniculi causes lesions in the central nervous system and the kidneys in small mammals. Few cases have been reported in man, and most have been in patients with immunosuppression. Serological testing for encephalitozoonosis has not previously been attempted in man but is used in veterinary practice. We used indirect immunofluorescence to examine 22 serum samples from patients with disorders of the central nervous system of uncertain origin. One sample gave clearly positive results for E cuniculi, and we report on the patient.