Identification of Encephalitozoon and Enterocytozoon (Microsporidia) Spores in Stool and Urine Samples Obtained from Free-Living South American Coatis (Nasua nasua)

ABSTRACT This study emphasizes the importance of free-living coatis as a potential source of microsporidian infection for humans living in large cities. We found 19 (31.7%) positive results among 60 fecal samples analyzed by PCR-based analysis and the Gram-Chromotrope staining technique (11.7% were positive for Encephalitozoon cuniculi, 6.7% for E. intestinalis, 6.7% for E. hellem, and 6.7% for Enterocytozoon bieneusi). Only 5 (8.4%) urine samples tested positive for E. cuniculi as assessed by the two techniques.

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