Detection of Microsporidia in Patients with AIDS by Chromotrope Staining

Microsporidia is an obligate intracellular, spore-forming, emerging parasite in human. Most cases of human microsporidiosis are associated with HIV infection or other forms of immunosuppression. Human acquire Microsporidia infection through ingestion or inhalation of the spores and cause gastrointestinal, muscular, ocular and systemic disorders. Until now, there is no available data on this parasite in Indonesia while the HIV cases rise very quickly. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of intestinal Microsporidia among the AIDS patients with AIDS with chronic diarrhoea in Jakarta and identify better staining method to diagnose Microsporidia microscopically. A number of 126 stools from patient with AIDS with chronic diarrhoea referred to Parasitology Laboratory FKUI were examined by standard chromotrope and quick-hot gram chromotrope staining. Duration of staining process, slide examination and quality of the slides were compared. The result showed the frequency of intestinal Microsporidia by both staining is low, 1.6% (2/126). Standard chromotrope stain took much longer time in process, shorter duration in identification and give better background/contrast for Microsporidia detection in stool compared to quick-hot gram chromotrope. Both stainings can be used to detect Microsporidia in stool specimen.