Para2 Flashcards
What is the taxonomic group for Cryptosporidium?
Protozoan
Cryptosporidium is classified as a protozoan and is zoonotic.
What are the infectious life stages of Cryptosporidium?
Sporulated oocyst, Sporozoite, Merozoite, Microgamete & Macrogamete, Oocyst
These stages are crucial for the life cycle and transmission of the organism.
Describe the transmission method of Cryptosporidium.
Fecal/oral; contaminated water and food
Direct transmission can also occur from infected animals.
What are the clinical signs associated with Cryptosporidium infection?
- Watery diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Weight loss
- Asymptomatic in some cases
- Atrophy of villi
- Secondary extra-intestinal complications possible
Scours in calves often present as yellow-pastey diarrhea.
What is the definitive host for Cryptosporidium?
Cattle
Infection can occur at various ages, but disease is typically limited to the very young, old, or immunocompromised.
What diagnostic methods are used for Cryptosporidium?
- Acid fast stain
- Direct immunofluorescent assay
- Fecal flotation
- ELISA
- PCR
The direct immunofluorescent assay is considered the gold standard.
What is the treatment and control for Cryptosporidium?
- Fluids and supportive therapy
- Clean water supplies
- Avoid fecal contamination of food supplies
- Filtration of water
One of the major causes of diarrhea in calves, it is also an opportunistic pathogen.
What is the taxonomic group for Eimeria?
Protozoan
Eimeria is also classified as an Apicomplexan (coccidia).
What are the infectious life stages of Eimeria?
Sporozoite, Schizont, Merozoite, Microgamete & Macrogamete, Oocyst
These stages are involved in the lifecycle of Eimeria.
What is the transmission method of Eimeria?
Fecal/oral
Overcrowding and stress increases the chances of disease development.
What are the clinical signs associated with Eimeria infection?
- Anorexia
- Fever
- Anemia
- Dehydration
- Catarrhal enteritis
- Bloody diarrhea
- Death
Severe diarrhea can occur in cattle and chickens, particularly with bright blood and tenesmus.
What is the definitive host for Eimeria?
Cattle
Eimeria also exists in rodents, lagomorphs, swine, and birds.
What are the diagnostic challenges for Eimeria?
Finding a few coccidian oocysts may not be conclusive
Oocysts can be found in feces, but cellular damage may have already occurred.
What is the taxonomic group for Tritrichomonas foetus?
Protozoan
Tritrichomonas foetus does not have a cyst stage.
How does Tritrichomonas foetus reproduce?
Asexual (binary fission)
This organism has a direct life cycle.
What are the clinical signs of Tritrichomonas foetus in cattle?
- Preputial discharge in bulls
- Slight vaginal discharge in cows
- Pyometra
- Abortion in cows before the fourth month of pregnancy
Bulls become asymptomatic but remain infected for life.
What diagnostic methods are used for Tritrichomonas foetus?
- Culture
- PCR
- “InPouch” system
- Diamond’s media
Testing in bulls must be done by an approved lab and is highly regulated.
What is the prevention strategy for Tritrichomonas foetus?
- Test newly purchased bulls
- Use uninfected bulls for breeding
- Remove infected bulls from herd
Cows may develop immunity in 90-110 days.
