Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Microsporidiosis physical examination
Introduction
Overview
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
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
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.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Younes M.B.B.CH [2]