Encephalitozoon_intestinalis
Encephalitozoon intestinalis
Species of parasitic fungus
Encephalitozoon intestinalis is a parasite.[1] It can cause microsporidiosis.[2]
It is notable as having one of the smallest genome among known eukaryotic organisms, containing only 2.25 million base pairs.[3] Its genome was completely sequenced in 2010.[4]
E. intestinalis originally named Septata intestinalis, was reclassified based on morphologic, antigenic and molecular similarities with other species of the genus Encephalitozoon. Recently, Some domestic and wild animals have been found to be naturally infected with E. intestinalis and some other microsporidian species.[5]
E. intestinalis is transmitted in contaminated water. It causes Gastro-Intestinal tract infection which subsequently leads to diarrhea and circulates to the ocular, genitourinary and respiratory tracts. Research has proven that E. intestinalis infection can increase host cell nuclear mutation rate.[5]