Microsporidia keratoconjunctivitis identified as an emerging zoonotic threat from pet parrots: Clinical and metagenomic next-generation sequencing evidence.

ABSTRACT: Microsporidia are opportunistic, obligate intracellular fungi capable of causing keratoconjunctivitis. Because the clinical manifestations of microsporidia keratoconjunctivitis are indistinguishable from those of other etiologies, and the organism is difficult to culture, its diagnosis is challenging. The transmission routes of microsporidia keratoconjunctivitis remain poorly defined, and zoonotic sources have long been suspected but rarely confirmed. Between September 2024 and October 2025, a total of 15 confirmed cases of microsporidia keratoconjunctivitis were identified at Peking University Third Hospital. The diagnosis was established based on Giemsa-stained corneal scrapings and/or metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of conjunctival lavage samples. Among these 15 patients,

SUBMITTER: Sun Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12716036 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature