Coccidia
Coccidia
Coccidia (pronunciation: /kɒkˈsɪdiə/) are a subclass of microscopic, spore-forming, single-celled obligate intracellular parasites belonging to the apicomplexan class Conoidasida.
Etymology
The term "Coccidia" is derived from the Greek words "kokkis", meaning "berry", and "eidos", meaning "form". This is in reference to the round shape of the parasites.
Description
As members of the phylum Apicomplexa, Coccidia are characterized by the presence of an apical complex, a group of organelles located at one end of the cell that are involved in penetrating a host's cell. Coccidia are typically ovoid or spherical in shape. They reproduce via a complex life cycle that involves both asexual and sexual reproduction.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of Coccidia involves multiple stages including sporozoites, trophozoites, merozoites, gametocytes, and oocysts. The cycle begins when an animal ingests an oocyst, which is a hardy, environmentally resistant stage of the parasite. Once inside the host's intestine, the oocyst releases sporozoites, which invade the intestinal cells and develop into trophozoites. Trophozoites undergo asexual reproduction to produce merozoites, which in turn invade other cells and develop into gametocytes. Gametocytes undergo sexual reproduction to produce oocysts, which are excreted in the feces and can infect other hosts.
Diseases Caused
Coccidia are known to cause a disease called coccidiosis in animals and humans. This disease is characterized by diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, and in severe cases, death. It is particularly problematic in poultry, where it can cause significant economic losses.
Treatment and Control
Treatment for coccidiosis typically involves the use of anticoccidial drugs. Control measures include good hygiene practices, regular cleaning and disinfection of animal housing, and the use of coccidia vaccines.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Coccidia
- Wikipedia's article - Coccidia
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski