Microsporidia: evolution, infection mechanisms and host impact.

Microsporidia have the smallest known eukaryotic genomes and use a unique polar tube structure for host cell invasion, with understanding of this mechanism beginning to emerge.

• Why it matters: Their impact on humans and economically important animals has only been recognized recently, highlighting a significant gap in knowledge about these understudied parasites and their effects.
• What they did: The review summarizes advances in understanding the evolution, infection mechanisms, and host impact of microsporidia, including technological progress in detection and treatment.
• The result: This progress enables better detection and management of microsporidia infections, improving health outcomes and informing strategies to mitigate their effects on hosts.