Unit 1 - Apicomplexa Flashcards
Common, can infect many vertebrates, and can cause multi-systemic disease…but can also be covert
T. gondii
What is the definitive host of Toxoplasma gondii?
felidae (all cat species)
What are the intermediate hosts for T. gondii?
almost all warm-blooded animals
What are two routes of infection for T. gondii?
- ingestion of tissue cysts in IH (3-10 days)
- ingestion of sporulated oocysts (19-48 days)
What protozoal stages of T. gondii can be seen in felids?
- sexual stages in intestine fertilization –> unsporulated oocysts shed
- asexual stages extra-intestinal
What is the PPP (pre-patent period)?
time from infection until demonstration of oocysts in feces
What is the most efficient route of infection for T. gondii?
ingestion of tissue cysts from intermediate hosts (3-10 days)
When is peak oocyst shedding of T. gondii?
6-7 days PI
What are the symptoms of T. gondii is adults cats?
usually subclinical
What are the symptoms of T. gondii in kittens?
feline toxoplasmosis (concurrent infection, immunosuppression) - fever, weight loss, lethargy, dyspnea, abdominal discomfort, icterus, etc.
What is the big picture behind T. gondii clinical signs?
multisystemic; primarily lungs, liver, ocular
What effect does T. gondii have on sheep?
major cause of abortions in US, vertical transmission (infected offspring)
How does T. gondii affect goats?
abortions, clinical toxoplasmosis (liver, kidneys, CNS), vertical transmission
Is there a transmission risk of T. gondii for people?
yes; raw goat milk, undercooked meat
How does T. gondii affect cattle and horses?
resistant to infection
What does it mean if an animal is seropositive for an infection, i.e. T. gondii?
gives a positive result in a test of blood serum
What about clinical toxoplasmosis and vertical transmission of T. gondii in dogs?
both are rare
Will a fecal float detect T. gondii?
rarely detects oocysts
How do you diagnose an active infection of T. gondii FelidDH?
rising titer (4-fold increase over two weeks)
How can you diagnose T. gondii in IH?
clinical signs, antibody titers, PCR, histo, immunohisto
What are the approved treatments for T. gondii?
no vaccines or drugs
What are some off-label options for treating T.gondii?
clindamycin, sulfonamide & pyrimethamine, trimethoprim & sulfonamine
What are the control methods of T. gondii?
remove feces daily, feed cats dry/canned/cooked meat only, prevent carnivorism/hunting
What is the direct host of Neospora caninum?
dogs
What does N. caninum cause in dogs?
neuromuscular disease
What are the IH for N. caninum?
cattle (also, small ruminants, deer, horses, etc.)
What is the primary cause of cattle abortion worldwide?
N. caninum
What’s a prevalent similarity between N. caninum and T. gondii?
excreted as unsporulated oocysts from the host, sporulates in the environment, cysts in intermediate host
What’s the major different between T. gondii and N. caninum?
dogs can get reinfected, cats cannot
What is the PPP of N. caninum?
5-17 days
How long does it take N. caninum oocysts to sporulate in the environment?
24-72 hours
Once N. caninum sporulates, how many sporocysts does it have? Sporozoites?
2 sporocysts, 4 sporozoites
What are the 2 routes of infection for the IH?
oocyst, transplancental
What are the two routes of infection for the DH?
ingestion of tissue cyst, transplacental
Congenital infection with N. caninum leads to….
asymptomatic carriers
Describe the lesions seen with Neospora caninum:
focal necrosis to severe myositis in skeletal muscles
What are some clinical signs you might seen in a dog that’s come into your clinic with Neospora caninum?
progressive hind limb paralysis, muscle atrophy, difficulty swallowing
When diagnosing N. caninum, what can be seen on a fecal float?
unsproulated oocysts (short period of time)
How do you test for N. caninum in cattle?
antibody test using serum or milk (ELISA); multiple testing (can use aborted calves - hist, PCR, ELISA)
What are the methods of control for N. caninum?
limited access of dogs to cattle, minimization of fecal contamination, remove aborted cattle, herd management
What are the approved treatments for N. caninum?
None; no Vx
What off-label drugs are used for treating clinical neosporosis?
clindamycin; trimethoprim sulfadiazine with pyrimethamine
What is the clinical significance of Hammondia?
must be distinguished from toxoplasma, neospora
What differentiates Hammondia from Neospora and Toxoplasma?
non-pathogenic, no extra-intestinal stage in DH, infects IH ONLY via ingestion of oocysts, infects DH ONLY via ingestion of tissue cysts
Hammondia heydorni DH? IH?
dogs, coyotes; herbivores
Hammondia hammondi DH? IH?
cat; mammals, birds
Hammondia site of infections for DH? IH?
DH: intestinal tract only
IH: throughout entire body
List the species that sporulate outside the host (5):
T. gondii, Hammondia, Isospora, Eimeria, Neospora
How many sporocysts does the Hammondia oocyst have? Sprozoites?
2 sporocysts; 4 sporozoites
In Sarcocystis spp., what is the definitive host and the intermediate host (think generally)?
predator - DH; prey - IH
Do Sarcocystis spp. have a direct or indirect life cycle?
indirect
What is the PPP of Sarcocystis in the DH?
7-14 days
What kind of reproduction occurs in the DH of Sarcocystis spp?
sexual - gametogony
What kind of reproduction occurs in the IH of Sarcocystis spp?
asexual - merogony
List the DH for Sarcocystis cruzi:
dogs, wolves, coyotes, raccoons, foxes, hyenas
List the IH for Sarcocystis cruzi:
cattle, ox, bison
What is the infective stage of S. cruzi to the DH:
sarcocyst (with bradyzoites)
What is the infective stage of S. cruzi to the IH:
oocyst/sporocysts
What is the route of infection of S. cruzi for the DH?
ingestion of tissue cyst (sarcocyst) containing bradyzoites
What is the route of infection of S. cruzi for the intermediate host?
ingestion of oocysts/sporocysts in environment