Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of Enterocytozoon bieneusi - microsporidial intestinal infection. Here the shed degenerating enterocyte contains numerous spores (human intestinal lumen). Enterocytozoon bieneusi, commonly known as microsporidia, is a unicellular, parasitic fungus. The microsporidia life cycle includes a proliferative merogonic stage, followed by a sporogonic stage resulting in small, infective spores, that are used in the infection mode. The spores contain a long, coiled polar tube, which distinguishes them from all other organisms and has a crucial role in host cell invasion. It infects intestinal epithelial cells and is considered an intracellular parasite. It can be a secondary infection to AIDS/HIV. Magnification: x2, 040 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres. |