Microsporidiosis, Encephalitozooniasis
Encephalitozoonosis is a nervous system disease caused by the obligate intracellular microsporidian Encephalitozoon cuniculi. The disease has been described in rodents, lagomorphs, primates and several species of carnivores. Asymptomatic infection usually occurs in rodents and lagomorphs. In carnivores the neurological signs include repeated turning and circling movements, especially after disturbance, dysmetria, dysergia, blindness and a terminal semi-comatose state. Lesions described are encephalitis and segmental vasculitis. The course of the illness is usually 5–12 days. This parasite is also found in immunodeficient people as pathogen with a generalized spreading over many organs (Opportunistic Agents).
Treatment of Opportunistic Agents, see also Drugs against microsporidiosis.