Anncaliia algerae microsporidial myositis in Australia — ASN Events
  1. Schedule
  2. Public health microbiology
  3. Public Health Microbiology
  4. Anncaliia algerae microsporidial myositis in Australia

Anncaliia algerae microsporidial myositis in Australia (#141)

Matthew Watts 1 2 3 , Renee CF Chan 4 , Elaine YL Cheong 3 4 , Susan Brammah 4 , Kate R Clezy 5 , Chiwai Tong 5 , Deborah Marriott 6 , Cameron E Webb 1 2 3 , Bobby Chacko 7 , Vivienne Tobias 8 , Alexander C Outhred 1 3 , Andrew S Field 6 , Michael V Prowse 9 , James V Bertouch 5 , Damien Stark 6 , Stephen W Reddell 3 4
  1. Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
  2. Pathology West – ICPMR, Westmead, NSW, Australia
  3. University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  4. Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord West, NSW, Australia
  5. Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
  6. St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
  7. John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
  8. Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
  9. Port Macquarie Base Hospital, Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia

The microsporidian, Anncaliiaalgerae is an environmental organism that primarily infects insects. Although the mechanism of transmission leading human infection is unknown, this may occur when there is contact with water that contains spores.Anncaliiaalgeraewas first reported in 2004 as a cause of fatal myositis in a immunosuppressed person with rheumatoid arthritisfrom the USA. Since then, 4 other cases have been described. All of the subsequent patients were from coastal New South Wales, and were treated with immunosuppressive agents. Two had a history of rheumatoid arthritis and two had solid organ transplantations. Symptoms and signs were indicative of a skeletal muscle myositis. However, peripheral nerves and other organs may have been involved.Microsporidia of the Anncaliiagenus were identified in skeletal muscle biopsies using electron microscopy. Organism DNA was amplified with polymerase chain reaction, and sequence analysisconfirmed the diagnosis of A. algerae. The patient who survived had a reduction in immunosuppressive therapy, measures to prevent complications and a regimen based on albendazole.Anncaliiaalgerae has emerged as a cause of myositis in Australia and there is ongoing investigation of the local epidemiology.

#2015ASM