Vol. 45, No. 4, 2001 content next

THE EFFECT OF OPPORTUNISTIC MICROSPORIDIAN INFECTION ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN MICE (An Outline)

Maslej, P., Valenčáková, A., Lešník, F., Bálent, P., Štefkovič, M., Halánová, M.*, Oroszová, K.

University of Veterinary Medicine
Komenského 73
041 81 Košice
The Slovak Republic		 *Faculty of Medicine
P. J. Šafárik University
SNP 1
041 76 Košice
The Slovak Republic

Summary

Opportunistic microsporidian infections introduce considerable risks, especially for patients with reduced immunity. Encephalitozoonosis as a microsporidian infection of mammals was unknown before 1995 in Slovakia. It is caused by opportunistic pathogens of Encephalitozoon spp. Active macrophages and related cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of encephalitozoonosis. Natural immunity is not based on previous individual experience of the pathogen or similar non-pathogenic microorganisms. Specific immunity is based upon the clone principle - only those cells with clones which have specific receptors react with antigens. The CD8+ lymphocyte population is soon quickly activated and increases during encephalitozoonosis. The immunosuppression during bovine papillomatosis can be coupled with the appearance of opportunistic encephalitozoonosis. In the human population microsporidia have been described as opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised patients after organ transplantations.

Key words: opportunistic infection; encephalitozoonosis; CD8+ lymphocytes

References

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Folia Veterinaria / 2001