Skip to main content

Phylum Microsporidia

  • Chapter
Principles of Insect Pathology

Abstract

The phylum Microsporidia Balbiani 1882 contains an array of obligate intracellular parasites known to infect all major animal groups (Canning and Lorn, 1986; Issi, 1986; Sprague et al., 1992). Many genera of microsporidia are pathogenic to invertebrate hosts and several genera contain members capable of infecting protozoans, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The more than 1,000 microsporidia species currently described represent only a small fraction of the total number of these pathogens. It has been estimated that the total number of microsporidia in nature is comparable to the number of animal species.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

General References

  • Becnel, J. 1994. Life cycles and host-parasite relationships of microsporidia in Culicine mosquitoes. Folia Parasitai. 41:91–96

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bulla, L. A., and T. C. Cheng (eds). 1977. Comparative Pathobiology Volume 2: Systematics of the Microsporidia. Plenum Press, N.Y.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canning, E. U. 1988. Nuclear division and chromosome cycle in microsporidia. Biosystems. 21:333–340.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Canning, E. U. and J. Lorn. 1986. The Microsporidia of Vertebrates. Academic Press, London 289p

    Google Scholar 

  • Henry, J. E. and E. A. Oma 1981. Pest control by Nosema locusta, a pathogen of grasshoppers and crickets. In: Microbial Control of Pests and Plant Diseases 1970-1980 (ed.) H.D. Burges. Academic Press, N.Y. pp 573–586.

    Google Scholar 

  • Issi, I. V. 1986. Microsporidia as a phylum of parasitic protozoa (translation of J.J. Lipa). In: Mikrosporiidii Vol 10 Acad. Sci. USSR, Leningrad pp 6–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sprague, V. J., J. Becnel, and E. I. Hazard. 1992. Taxonomy of phylum Microspora. Crit. Rev. Microbiol. 18:285–395.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sprague, V. and J. Becnel 1998. Note on the name-author-date combination for the taxon Microsporidies Balbiani, 1882, when ranked as a phylum. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 71:91–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Undeen, A. H., and J. Vavra. 1997. Research methods for entomopathogenic protozoa In: Manual of Techniques in Insect Pathology, (ed.) Academic Press, San Diego. pp. 117–149.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Weiser, J. 1986. Phylum Microspora Sprague, 1969 In: An Illustrated Guide to the Protozoa (eds). Lee and Hutner. Society of Protozoologists, Lawrence, KS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amigo, J. M., M. P. Gracia, M. Rius, H. Salvado, P. A. Maillo, C. P. Vivares. 1996. Longevity and effects of temperature on the viability and polar-tube extrusion of spore of Glugea stephani, a microsporidian parasite of commercial flatfish. Parasitai. Res. 82:211–214.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andreadis, T. G. 1983. Life cyle and epizootiology of Amblyospora sp. (Microspora: Amblyosporidae) in the mosquito, Aedes cantator. J. Protozool. 30:509–518.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andreadis, T. G. 1985. Experimental transmission of a microsporidial pathogen from mosquitoes to an alternate copepod host. PNAS 82:5574–5577.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andreadis, T. G., 1990. Epizootiology of Amblyospora connecticus (Microsporidia) in field populations of the saltmarsh mosqito, Aedes cantator, and the cyclopoiod copepod, Acanthocyclops vernalis. J Protozool. 37-174–182.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, E. 1978. Nosema whitei: body weight changes in larvae of Tribolium casteneum. Z. Parasitenkd. 56:13–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, E. and L. K. Bass. 1985. Effects of infection by Nosema whitei on the mating frequency and fecundity of Tribolium castaneum. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 47:310–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson, C. T. 1990. Fine structure and sporogonic development of a Vavaraia sp. (Microsporida: Plesitophoridae) in the biting midge Culicoides edeni (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). J. Invertebr. Pathol. 55:105–111.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Avery, A. W. and D. W. Anthony. 1983. Ultrastructural study of early development of Nosema algerae in Anopheles albimanus. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 42:87–95.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barr, W. J. 1995. Chromosomal evidence on the sporogony of Amblyospora californica (Microspora: Amblyosporidae) in Culex tarsalis (Diptera:Culicidae). J. Eukaryot. Microbiol. 42:103–108.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Becnel, J. J. 1992. Horizontal transmission and subsequent development of Ambloyospora californica (Microsporidia: Amblyosporidae) in the intermediate and definitive hosts. Dis. Aquat. Organ. 13:17–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Black, S. S., L. A. Steinhart, D. C. Bertuccu, L. B. Rogers, E. S. Didier. 1997. Encephalitozoon in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). Vet. Pathol. 34:189–198.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Croft, S. L., J. Wiliams, and I. McGowan. 1997. Intestinal microsporidiosis. Semin. Gastrointest. Dis. 8:45–55.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Darwish, A., E. Weidner, and J. R. Fuxa. 1989. Vairmorpha necatrix in adipose cells of Trichoplusia ni. J. Protozool. 36:308–311.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeGraaf, D. C., H. Raes, G. Sabbe, P. P. De Rycke, and F. J. Jacobs. 1994. Early development of Nosema apis (Microspora: Nosematidae) in the midgut epithelium of the honeybee (Apis mellifera). J. Invertebr. Pathol. 63:74–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Didier, E. S., J. M. Orenstein, A. Aldras, D. Bertucci, L. B. Rogers, and F. A. Janney. 1995. Comparison of three staining methods for detecting microsporidia in fluids. J. Clin. Microbiol. 33:3138–3145.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Didier, E. S., G. S. Visvesvara, M. D. Baker, L. B. Rogers, D.C. Bertucci, M. A. De Groote, C. R. Vossbrinck. 1996. A microsporidian isolated from and AIDS patient corresponds to Encephalitozoon cuniculi III, originally isolated from domestic dogs. J. Clin. Microbiol. 34:2835–2837.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • DiMaria, P., B. Palic, B. A. Debrunner-Vossbsrinck, J. Lapp, and C. R. Vossbrinck.. 1996. Characterization of the highly divergent U2 RNA homologue in the microsporidia Vairimorpha necatrix. Nucl. Acids. Res. 24:515–522.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fedorko, D. P., N. A. Nelson, C. P. Cartwright. 1995. Identification of microsporidia in stool specimens by using PCR and restriction endonucleases. J. Clin. Microbiol. 33:1739–1741.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Franzen, C., A. Muller, B. Salzberger, G. Fatkenheuer, S. Edit, G. Mahrle, V. Diehl, M. Schrappe. 1995. Tissue diagnosis of intestinal microsporidiosis using a fluorescent stain with Uvitex-2B. J. Clin. Pathol. 48:1009–1010.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Germot, A., H. Phillippe, and H. Leguyader. 1997. Evidence for loss of mitochondria in microsporidia from amitochondrial-type HSP70 in Nosema locustae. Mol. Biochem. Parasit. 87:159–168.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han, M-S. and H. Watanabe. 1988. Transovarial transmission of two microsporidia in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, and disease occurrence in the progency population. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 51:41–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iwano, H., and T. J. Kuriti. 1995. Identification and isolation of dimorphic spores from Nosema funacalis (Microspora: Nosematidae) J. Invertebr. Pathol. 65:230–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeffords, M. R., J. V. Maddox, M. L. McManus, R. E. Webb, and A. Wieber. 1989. Evaluation of the overwintering success of two European microsporidia inoculatively released into gypsy moth populations in Maryland. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 53: 235–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeffords, M. R., J. V. Maddox, and K. W. O’Hayer. 1987. Microsporidial spores in gypsy moth larval silk: a possible route of horizontal transmission. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 49:332–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, D. L. and E. Pavlikova. 1986. Reduction of consumption by grasshoppers (Orthoptera: acrididae) infected with Nosema locustae Canning (Microsporidia: Nosematidae). J. Invertebr. Pathol. 48:232–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, M. A., J. J. Becnel, and A. H. Undeen 1997. A new sporulation sequence in Edhazardia aedis (Microsporidia: Culicosporidia), a parasite of the mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera; Culicidae). J. Invertebr. Path. 70:69–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jouvenez, D. P. 1984. Some protozoa infecting fire ants, Solenopsis spp. In Comparative Pathology Vol 7: Pathogens of Invertebrates. (ed) T.C. Cheng, Plenum Press, N.Y. pp.195–204.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Jouvenez, D. P., and E. A Hazard. 1978. New family, genus, and species of Microsporidia (Protozoa: Microsporidia) from the tropical fire ant, Solenopsis geminata (Fabricus) (Insecta:Formicidae). J. Protozool. 25:24–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamaishi, T., T. Hashimoto, Y. Nakamura, F. Nakamura, S. Murata, N. Okada, K. Okamoto, M. Shimizu, and M. Hasegawa 1996. Protein phylogeny of translation elongation factor EF-1 alpha suggests that microsporidians are extremely ancient eukaryotes. J. Mol. Evol. 42:257–263.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kawakami, Y. Inoue, T. Uchida, Y. Hatakeyama, H. Iwano, and R. Ishihara. 1995. Specific amplification of DNA from reference strains of Nosema bombycis. J. Seric. Sci., 64:165–171.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keeling, P. J., W. F. Doolittle. 1996. Alpha-tubulin from early diverging eukaryotic lineage’s and the evolution of the tubulin family. Mol. Biol. Evol. 13:1297–1305.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kramer, J. P. 1965. Nosema necatrix sp. n. and Thelohania diazoma sp.n., microsporidians from the armyworm Pseudaletia unipunctata (Haworth). J. Invertebr. Pathol. 7:117–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kurtti, T. J. K. Roger, and M. A. Brooks. 1983. The spread of infection by the microsporidian, Nosema disstriae, in insect cell lines. J. Protozool. 30:652–657.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsson, J. I. R. 1988. Indentification of Microsporidial genera (protozoa, Microspora) — a guide with comments on taxonomy. Arch. Prostistenkd. 136:1–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, T. P. 1990a. Ultrastructural changes in the secretion granules of the hypopharyngeal glands of the honeybee infected by Nosema apis and after treatment with fumagillin. Tissue Cell. 22:523–531.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, T. P. 1990b. Ultrastructural differences of neurosecretion granules in the corpora cardiaca of the honeybee with and without infection by Nosema apis. Tissue Cell 22:517–522.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, T. P. 1992. Oocytes degeneration the queen honey bee after infection by Nosema apis. Tissue Cell 24:131–138.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, J., S. K. Katiyar, A. W.. Hamelin, and T. D. Edlind.1996. Tubulin genes from AIDS associated microsporidia and implications for phylogeny and benzimidozole sensitivity. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 78:289–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malone, L.A. 1984. A comparison of the development of Vairmorpha plodiae and Vairimorpha necatrix in the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 43:140–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Margos, G., Maier, W. A., H. M. Seitz. 1992. The effect of nosematosis on the development of Plasmodium falciparum in Anopheles stephensi. Parasitol. Res. 78:168–171.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, C. B. and W. M. Brooks. 1992. An ultrastructural study of Vairimorpha necatrix (Microspora, Microsporidia) with particular reference to episporontal inclusions during octosporogony. J. Protozool. 39:392–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, C. B. and W. M. Brooks. 1994. An ultrastructural study of the episporontal inclusions produced during octosporogony by five species/isolates of Vairimorpha (Microspora: microsporidia). J. Invertebr. Pathol. 63:197–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pilley, B. M. 1976. A new genus, Vairimorpha (Protozoa: Microsporidia), for Nosema necatrix Kramer 1965: Pathogenicity and life cycle in Spodoptera exempta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). J. Invertebr. Pathol. 28:177–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raina, S. K., S. Das, M. M. Rai, and A. M. Khurad. 1995. Transovarial transmission of Nosema locustae (Microsporidia:Nosemaidae) in the migratory locust Locusta migratoria migratoroides. Parasitai. Res. 81:38–44.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, J. P., J. V. Maddox, and W. G. Ruesink. 1988 Seasonal progress of Nosemapyrausta in the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 52:130–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, J. P., J. V. Maddox, and W. G. Ruesink. 1986. Impact of Nosema pyrusta on a Braconid, Macrocentrus grandii, in Central Illinois. J. Invertebr. Path. 47:271–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solter, L F., J. V. Maddox, M. L. McManus. 1997. Host specificity of microsporidia (Protista: Microspora) from European populations of Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Lymantria) to indigenous North American lepidoptera. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 69:135–150.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Solter, L. F., D.W. Onstad, and J. V. Maddox. 1990. Timing of disease processes in the life cycle of Ostrinia nubialis infected with Nosema pyrausta. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 55:337–341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, B. K., and T. R. Fritsche. 1995. Current concepts in pathologic diagnoses: parasitic diseases. J. Histotech. 18(3):253–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stirnadal, H.A. and D. Ebert. 1997. Prevalence, host specificity,and impact on host fecundity of microparasites and epibionts in three sympatric Daphnia species. J. Anim. Ecol. 66:212–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sweeney, A. W., M. F. Graham, and E. I. Hazard. 1988. Life cycle of Amblyospora dyxenoides sp. nov. in the mosquito Culex annulirostris and the copepod Mesocyclops albicans.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trammer, T., F. Dombrowski, M. Doehring, W. A. Maier, H. M. Seitz. 1997. Opportunistic properties of Nosema algerae (Microspora), a mosquito parasite, in immunocompromised mice. J. Eukaryot. Microbiol. 44::258–262

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Undeen, A. H., and N. E. Alger 1971. A density gradient method for fractionating microsporidial spores.J. Invertebr. Pathol. 18:419–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Undeen, A. H., 1975. The growth of Nosema algerae in pig kidney cell cultures. J. Prootzool. 22:107

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Undeen, A. H., 1990. A proposed mechanism for the germination of microsporidial (Protozoa: Microspora) spores. J. Theor. Biol. 142:223–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vossbrinck, C. R. and C. R. Woese. 1986. Eukaryotic ribosomes that lack a 5.8S RNA. Nature 320:287–288.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vossbrinck, C. R. J. V. Moddox, S. Friedman, B. A. Debrunner-Vossbrinck, and C. R. Woese. 1987. Ribosomal RNA sequence suggests microsporidia are extremely ancient eukaryotes. Nature 326:411–414.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weidner, E. R. M., B. Tedeschi, and J. Fuseler. 1990. Cytokeratin and desmoplkin analogues within an intracellular parasite. Biol. Bull. 179:237–242.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weidner, E. and S. K. Holonen. 1993. Microsporidial spore envelope keratins phosphorylate and disassemble during spore activation. J. Euk. Microbiol. 40:783–788.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weiser, J. 1976. Staining of the nuclei of microsporidial spores. J. Invertebr. Path. 28:147–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Boucias, D.G., Pendland, J.C. (1998). Phylum Microsporidia. In: Principles of Insect Pathology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4915-4_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4915-4_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7229-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-4915-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics