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Abstract
Introduction. Ocular microsporidiosis is a significant emerging infectious disease reported in immunocompromised patients and immunocompetent persons throughout the world.
Aim. To identify the pathogens responsible for human keratitis, via corneal scrapings.
Methodology. Thirty-three hospitalized patients with epithelial keratitis were examined using staining and DNA sequencing. DNA was extracted from corneal samples and the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced.
Results. Twenty-one samples were positive by staining while PCR generated amplicons in 18 cases. Of the 18 sequences, 16 were identical with, or very similar to, those of Vittaforma corneae (99–100 % similarity) and the remaining two sequences were similar to that of unidentified Microsporidium species deposited in the GenBank.
Conclusion. This study has reconfirmed that V. corneae causes epithelial keratitis in humans and that a newly detected Microsporidium species is also involved in microsporidial keratitis as one of the emerging pathogens in Thailand. Ophthalomologists should be aware of microsporidial keratitis in people from Thailand and those from neighbouring countries.
- Received:
- Accepted:
- Published Online:
Funding
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Khon Kaen University
- Principle Award Recipient: Onsiri Thanathanee
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Thailand Research Fund (TH), Distinguished Research Professor Grant
(Award DPG6280002)
- Principle Award Recipient: Pewpan M. Intapan
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Thailand Research Fund (TH), Distinguished Research Professor Grant
(Award DPG6280002)
- Principle Award Recipient: Wanchai Maleewong