This investigation tested whether microsporidia are possibly relevant pathogens in returned travelers. We examined stool specimens of 120 patients with persistent diarrhea after travel to tropical countries attending an outpatient clinic for tropical disease between January and March 1998. Two different methods were used for the examinations. In light microscopy microsporidian spores of different sizes were found in 5 cases, but species differentiation could not be performed by light microscopy. Microsporidian DNA was found in the stool specimens of 8 patients, including all patients with positive light microscopy.
Diarrhea is a common symptom in returning travelers.
Most commonly isolated enteropathogens are enterotoxic E. coli . New pathogens such as C. cayetanensis continue to be discovered. Only a few case report suggest that microsporidia are involved in travelers' diarrhea. Microsporidia may be found in returning travelers with persistent diarrhea without other identifiable pathogens. To establish the pathogenic role of microsporidia further investigations are necessary.