Canine/Feline- Sarcocystis, Hepatozoon, Babesia and Theileria Flashcards
What is Sarcocystis spp. Hosts?
Final hosts: dogs, cats, humans, carnivores and birds.
Intermediate hosts: cattle, herbivores, omnivores, birds;
several species are zoonotic
What is Sarcocystis spp. Identification?
Sporulated oocysts with 2 sporocysts each with 4 sporozoites. Individual sporocysts often observed
What is Sarcocystis spp. Site(s) of infection?
Muscles in intermediate host. Sporocysts in gastro-intestinal tract of final host
What is Sarcocystis spp. Clinical signs?
No illness in final host. Fatal disease in
intermediate herbivore host.
Abortion may result
What is Sarcocystis spp. Diagnosis?
Sporocysts in final host. Bradyzoites in muscle tissue of intermediate host
What is Sarcocystis spp. Treatment and prevention?
Avoid raw meat and prevent fecal contamination
What is Hepatozoon spp. Hosts?
Dogs
What is Hepatozoon spp. Identification?
Gamonts in blood cells
What is Hepatozoon spp. Site(s) of infection?
Schizonts: in various tissues. Gamonts: circulating white blood cells
What is Hepatozoon spp. Clinical signs?
H. canis– subclinical infection.H. americanum– severe disease; joint pain, myositis
What is Hepatozoon spp. Diagnosis?
Parasites in peripheral blood. Examination
of muscle tissue at biopsy or necropsy
What is Hepatozoon spp. Treatment and prevention?
No satisfactory treatment
Tick control
What is Babesia spp. Hosts?
Dogs; sometimes humans
What is Babesia spp. Identification?
Trophozoites in red blood cells
What is Babesia spp. Site(s) of infection?
Erythrocytes
What is Babesia spp. Clinical signs?
Depression, anorexia, anemia, splenomegaly
What is Babesia spp. Diagnosis?
Trophozoites in peripheral blood smear (Giemsa)
What is Babesia spp. Treatment and prevention
Antiprotozoal therapy effective but not approved in USA. Tick control – Rhipicephalus sanguineus
What is Theileria (Cytauxzoon) spp. Hosts?
Cats. Bobcats.
What is Theileria (Cytauxzoon) spp. Identification?
Small organisms (merozoites) 1-2 μm in red blood cells
What is Theileria (Cytauxzoon) spp. Site(s) of infection?
Blood
What is Theileria (Cytauxzoon) spp. Pathogenesis/clinical signs?
Fever, anemia, icterus. Developing schizonts cause enlargement of infected cells. Occlusion of
blood vessels – heart, liver, lungs. Rapid and fatal disease, south central USA
What is Theileria (Cytauxzoon) spp. Diagnosis?
Peripheral blood smear (Giemsa or Wright’s stain)
What is Theileria (Cytauxzoon) spp. Treatment and prevention?
No satisfactory treatment.
Tick control
