RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Mungthin, Mathirut A1 Subrungruang, Ittisak A1 Naaglor, Tawee A1 Aimpun, Pote A1 Areekul, Wirote A1 Leelayoova, SaovaneeYR 2005 T1 Spore shedding pattern of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in asymptomatic children JF Journal of Medical Microbiology, VO 54 IS 5 SP 473 OP 476 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.45832-0 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1473-5644, AB Stool samples from seven human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative and two HIV-positive children with asymptomatic Enterocytozoon bieneusi infections were daily examined to quantify spore shedding using Gram-chromotrope staining under light microscopy. The spore shedding pattern and intensity in these children was variable. Mean spore concentrations in the stool samples from these children ranged from 2.4 × 102 to 1.2 × 105 spores per gram. Light microscopy could detect spores in stool specimens for 9–33 days, while PCR was able to detect E. bieneusi in stool specimens for 3–40 days longer. This suggests that light microscopy may not detect low levels of spore shedding. Considering that the asymptomatic group are a potential source of infection, detection methods with a higher sensitivity should be used., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.45832-0