Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection in Barbary striped grass mice (Lemniscomys barbarus)

Abstract

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an obligate intracellular microsporidian parasite that commonly induces subclinical infections in rabbits, but occurs also in a range of other species, including various rodents, carnivores, humans and birds. The present report describes encephalitozoonosis in a group of captive Barbary striped grass mice (Lemniscomys barbarus) in a zoo collection. The aetiology was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and PCR with subsequent sequencing. The source of infection is not known.

Keywords: Barbary striped grass mice (Lemniscomys barbarus); Berber-Streifengrasmäuse (Lemniscomys barbarus); Encephalitozoonosis; Enzephalitozoonose; Mikrosporidien; microsporidia.