Abstract

Objective: To evaluate microsporidia species in pigeons of Ahvaz city, southwest of Iran by the staining and multiplex/nested PCR methods. Methods: Initially, 131 stool specimens were randomly collected from pigeons. The specimens were stained by the modified trichrome (Weber) and were microscopically examined. The DNA was extracted by DNA stool extraction kit (Bioneer) and was examined by the multiplex/nested PCR method. For differentiating the species of Encephalitozoon, the products of PCR were explored by the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using the Mnl1 restriction enzyme. Results: Of 131 specimens, 22 and 18 cases were positive by the staining and the multiplex/ nested-PCR methods, respectively. Of 18, 7 and 11 samples were detected as Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp., respectively. In addition, 2 Encephalitozoon cuniculi and 9 Encephalitozoon intestinalis were Encephalitozoon species. Of 7 Enterocytozoon bieneusi samples, 5 and 2 cases were detected as genotype M and L, respectively. Also, all Encephalitozoon cuniculi samples were identified as genotype II. Conclusions: Our findings showed a relatively high prevalence of microsporidia at pigeons and these birds can be a significant and important source of microsporidiosis. It is essential that the high-risk individuals including patients with immunodeficient diseases should be receiving the accurate and valid information about the risk of direct and indirect contact with the infected pigeons.

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