Microsporidiosis historical perspective

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Younes M.B.B.CH [2]

Phylum Microsporidia was first described in the 19^th century while the first human case was described in 1959. The number of cases increased after the spread of AIDS.^[1]

Phylum microsporidia were first described in the 19^th century while the first human case was described in 1959. The number of cases increased after the spread of AIDS.^[1]

• In late 19^th century, phylum microsporidia were first discovered.
• In 1959, the first human case was described in a Japanese child.
• In 1985, microsporidiosis was first described in an AIDS patient in France.
• With the spread of HIV, the number of cases was increased and microsporidiosis was almost always found in HIV and immunocompromised patients.
• In 1996, E. bieneusi was first described in pigs in Switzerland.