Encephalitozoon cuniculi Genotype III Evinces a Resistance to Albendazole Treatment in both Immunodeficient and Immunocompetent Mice

0538181 - BC 2021 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Sak, Bohumil - Brdíčková, Klára - Holubová, Nikola - Květoňová, Dana - Hlásková, Lenka - Kváč, Martin
Encephalitozoon cuniculi Genotype III Evinces a Resistance to Albendazole Treatment in both Immunodeficient and Immunocompetent Mice.
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Roč. 64, č. 5 (2020), č. článku e00058-20. ISSN 0066-4804. E-ISSN 1098-6596
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA17-12871S
Institutional support: RVO:60077344
Keywords : beta-tubulin gene * experimental-infection * microsporidiosis * intestinalis * balb/c * virus * agent * Encephalitozoon cuniculi * albendazole * genotype III * microsporidiosis * tolerance * treatment
OECD category: Epidemiology
Impact factor: 5.191, year: 2020
Method of publishing: Open access
https://aac.asm.org/content/aac/64/5/e00058-20.full.pdf

Of four genotypes of Encephalitozoon cuniculi, E. cuniculi genotype II is considered to represent a parasite that occurs in many host species in a latent asymptomatic form, whereas E. cuniculi genotype III seems to be more aggressive, and infections caused by this strain can lead to the death of even immunocompetent hosts. Although albendazole has been considered suitable for treatment of Encephalitozoon species, its failure in control of E. cuniculi genotype III infection has been reported. This study determined the effect of a 100x recommended daily dose of albendazole on an Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype III course of infection in immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice and compared the results with those from experiments performed with a lower dose of albendazole and E. cuniculi genotype II. The administration of the regular dose of abendazole during the acute phase of infection reduced the number of affected organs in all strains of mice and absolute counts of spores in screened organs. However, the effect on genotype III was minor. Surprisingly, no substantial effect was recorded after the use of a 100x dose of albendazole, with larger reductions seen only in the number of affected organs and absolute counts of spores in all strains of mice, implying variations in albendazole resistance between these Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotypes. These results imply that differences in the course of infection and the response to treatment depend not only on the immunological status of the host but also on the genotype causing the infection. Understanding how microsporidia survive in hosts despite targeted antimicrosporidial treatment could significantly contribute to research related to human health.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0316005