Cystoisospora (Isospora) spp. (1)

Question 1

What are the hosts?

Answer 1

Dogs

Rodents

Other hosts can be Paratenic hosts, including rodents

Cats have their own species (Cystoisospora felis and Cystoisospora rivolta)

Question 2

How do you identify?

Answer 2

Oval Coccidia

Largest species - 50 micro m

Must be differentiated from Eimeria spp. that can be in dog feces from eating feces of other animals and Sarcocystis spp. which are smaller

Question 3

Explain the life cycle

Answer 3

In small intestine

Paratenic host can also ingest the sporulated oocyst

Sporozoites invade extraintestinal tissues/organs (muscles, liver, lung, brain)

Form cyst

Paratenic host and cyst ingested by final host

Sporozoites released from cyst

Endodyogeny

Merogony

Gametogony

Fertilization

Excretion

Unsporulated oocyst

Question 4

What is the site of infection?

Answer 4

Small intestine

Question 5

Describe the Pathogenesis

Answer 5

Small intestinal cells destroyed

Diarrhea can be severe, watery, profuse and bloody

Young dogs susceptible

Question 6

How do you diagnose?

Answer 6

Oocyst

Smaller than ascarid eggs (80-100 micro m) and larger than Sarcocystis spp. (18 micro m)

Question 7

How do you treat and prevent?

Answer 7

Management is critical

Question 8

What is the common name?

Answer 8

Coccidia

“Coccidiosis”: infection with Cystoisospora, Isospora, and/or Eimeria

Coccidian parasites: members of the Order Eucoccidiorida