TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Chapter 302. Microsporidiosis A1 - Barroso II, Luis F. A1 - Guerrant, Richard L. A2 - Rudolph, Colin D. A2 - Rudolph, Abraham M. A2 - Lister, George E. A2 - First, Lewis R. A2 - Gershon, Anne A. PY - 2011 T2 - Rudolph's Pediatrics, 22e AB - Microsporidia is a nontaxonomic term referring to an extensive group of unicellular organisms classified in the phylum Microspora. Previously considered to be primitive protists, they have been reclassified as fungi.1 All microsporidia lack mitochondria, are obligate intracellular parasites, and possess a characteristic coiled extrusion apparatus consisting of a polar tubule anchored to an anterior disk within the spore. This apparatus is capable, upon extrusion, of penetrating the host cell membrane and injecting the infectious sporoplasm material into the cytoplasm where the life cycle begins (Fig. 302-1). Of over 1200 species known, at least 14 species of microsporidia have been described that are capable of infecting humans (Table 302-1).2 The pattern of infection varies depending on the species of microsporidia and the immune status of the host. SN - PB - The McGraw-Hill Companies CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/24 UR - accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=7029095 ER -