Scanning electron micrograph showing an eukaryotic cell bursting and releasing spores of Encephalitozoon hellem to the extracellular medium. Photo from Centers for Disease Control; Division of Parasitic Diseases.

The genome sequence and gene predictions of Encephalitozoon hellem were not determined by the JGI, but were downloaded from NCBI and have been published (Jean-François Pombert et al., 2012). Please note that this copy of the genome is not maintained by the author and is therefore not automatically updated.

Microsporidia of the genus Encephalitozoon are widespread pathogens of animals that harbor the smallest known nuclear genomes.

Microsporidia are highly derived relatives of fungi that are obligate intracellular parasites of virtually all animal lineages and which lead to a number of economically and medically important diseases, particularly in sericulture and apiculture. To date, more than 1,200 microsporidian species have been described, and at least 13 of these species infect humans; many are opportunistic pathogens found in immune-compromised patients.