Anncaliia algerae

Abstract

Anncaliia algerae belongs to the microsporidia, a group of obligate intracellular pathogens originally classified as early branching 'primitive' protozoa but now understood to be related to the Cryptomycota as a basal branch in the fungal kingdom. A. algerae has emerged as a rare opportunistic human pathogen in immune compromised patients such as those taking immune suppressive medications for arthritis, hematologic malignancy, or organ transplantation. It was originally identified as a pathogen of mosquitoes and is probably transmitted to humans by food or water through ingestion, inhalation, or contamination of ocular tissue or wounds with environmental spores. A. algerae infection primarily causes myositis; however, vocal cord, skin, corneal (in immune competent hosts), and disseminated infections have been reported. Human infection has also been reported with other members of the Anncaliia genus: Anncaliia vesicularum in a HIV patient, and Anncaliia connori in an infant with thymic dysplasia.