Molecular phylogeny and diagnostic approaches to microsporidia

Abstract

Knowledge about the phylum Microspora and its relationship to humans is in a period of rapid growth as noninvasive diagnostic techniques for microsporidia have been developed and are being applied to both clinical and epidemiologic studies. As these techniques have improved, new microsporidian pathogens and reservoir hosts of the microsporidia infecting humans are being identified. Recent phylogenetic data suggest that microsporidia are related to the fungi. This information may prove useful in investigations into new therapeutic strategies for these emerging human pathogens.