Microsporidiosis physical examination

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

Overview

Patients with microsporidiosis usually appear ill. Physical examination of patients with microsporidiosis is usually remarkable for weight loss, wasting and abdominal tenderness and muscle pain. Eye examination might reveal conjunctival hyperemia and corneal clouding.

Physical examination

General appearance

The patient appears ill with signs of wasting and malnourishment especially if chronic diarrhea is associated.^[1]^[2]

Vital signs

Fever is rare.

Heart rate is usually maintained within normal limits.

Respiratory rate is maintained within normal limits.

Blood pressure is usually maintained within normal limits.

HEENT

If ocular microsporidiosis is present, it may manifest as superficial punctate or stromal keratitis:
Slit lamp examination might reveal:

Chest

Chest examination findings are usually within normal limits.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular examination findings are usually within normal limits.

Abdomen

Decreased abdominal girth and weight loss due to chronic diarrhea.
Right upper quadrant tenderness due to cholecystitis.

Extremities

Muscle tenderness if myositis is present.

References

↑ Sandfort J, Hannemann A, Gelderblom H, Stark K, Owen RL, Ruf B (1994). “Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection in an immunocompetent patient who had acute diarrhea and who was not infected with the human immunodeficiency virus”. Clin. Infect. Dis. 19 (3): 514–6. PMID 7811871.
↑ Weber R, Bryan RT, Schwartz DA, Owen RL (1994). “Human microsporidial infections”. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 7 (4): 426–61. PMC 358336. PMID 7834600.

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[pmid7811871-1] Sandfort J, Hannemann A, Gelderblom H, Stark K, Owen RL, Ruf B (1994). “Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection in an immunocompetent patient who had acute diarrhea and who was not infected with the human immunodeficiency virus”. Clin. Infect. Dis. 19 (3): 514–6. PMID 7811871.

[pmid7834600-2] Weber R, Bryan RT, Schwartz DA, Owen RL (1994). “Human microsporidial infections”. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 7 (4): 426–61. PMC 358336. PMID 7834600.

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