Lecture 10- Introduction to Protozoa. Ciliates, Giardia, Elmeria, Cystolspora, and Cryptosporidium (Identification)

Pig is reservoir, can be found in other animals and humans (zoonotic).

Balantidium coli (mammals); trophozoites

~30–150 x 25–120 µm (largest protozoan parasite of humans).

Pig is reservoir, can be found in other animals and humans (zoonotic).

Balantidium coli (mammals); cysts

Smaller, spherical cysts (~40-70 x 40-60 µm).

Ciliates of Fish - “Ich” or “Ick” or “White spot disease”

Ciliates of Fish - “Ich” or “Ick” or “White spot disease”

Giardia spp.;

Trophozoites (~9-21 X 5-15 µm): Pear-shaped, 2x nuclei, 4x pair of flagella, 2x median bodies, a ventral adhesive disk.

Active, feeding stage that inhabits the small intestine.

Giardia spp.;

Cysts (~8-15 X 5-10 µm): Ovoid to ellipsoid, possess a two-layered wall with 2–4 nuclei and internal fibrils (axonemes).

Persistent stage responsible for transmission (resistant to chlorine in water systems).

Giardia spp.;

Trophozoites (~9-21 X 5-15 µm): Pear-shaped, 2x nuclei, 4x pair of flagella, 2x median bodies, a ventral adhesive disk.

Active, feeding stage that inhabits the small intestine.

Giardia duodenalis:

Trophozoites (found in small intestine and diarrhea);

~9–21 x 5–15 µm.

Pear-shaped, 2x nuclei, 4x pair of flagella, 2x median bodies, a ventral adhesive disk.

Cysts (found in fecal floatations usually);

~8-15 X 5-10 µm.

Ovoid to ellipsoid, possess a two-layered wall with 2–4 nuclei and internal fibrils (axonemes).

Dogs (C. canis*), Pigs (C. suis*), Calves & Lambs (C. parvum*), Birds (C. meleagridis),
Humans (C. hominis & C. cuniculus, and *) - most important.

Cryptosporidium spp. (Cryptosporidiosis);

Oocysts (shed in feces);

~4-6 X 4.5-7 µm - No micropyle or micropylar cap, inner and outer walls are sealed closed by the suture.

Sporulated oocyst containing 1x0x4 architecture (0x sporocysts X 4x sporozoites total).

Dogs (C. canis*), Pigs (C. suis*), Calves & Lambs (C. parvum*), Birds (C. meleagridis),
Humans (C. hominis & C. cuniculus, and *) - most important.

Cryptosporidium spp. (Cryptosporidiosis);

Most species oocysts measuring ~ 4-6 X 4.5-7 µm.

Dogs (C. canis*), Pigs (C. suis*), Calves & Lambs (C. parvum*), Birds (C. meleagridis),
Humans (C. hominis & C. cuniculus, and *) - most important.

Cryptosporidium spp. (Cryptosporidiosis);

Most species oocysts measuring ~ 4-6 X 4.5-7 µm.

Dogs & Cats, Pigs (C. suis), Humans (C. belli), Nonhuman primates (C. arctopitheci,C. callimico, and C. scorzai).  

Most species oocysts measuring ~ 20-53 X 10-43 µm (animal ones being larger than C. belli).

Cystoisospora spp. (Cystoisosporiasis);

Oocysts (shed in feces);

~20-53 X 10-43 µm - Broadly oval, colorless to pinkish, no micropyle or micropylar cap.

Sporulated containing 1x2x4 architecture (2x sporocysts X 4x sporozoites = eight total).

Dogs & Cats, Pigs (C. suis), Humans (C. belli), Nonhuman primates (C. arctopitheci,C. callimico, and C. scorzai).  

Most species oocysts measuring ~ 20-53 X 10-43 µm (animal ones being larger than C. belli).

Cystoisospora spp. (Cystoisosporiasis);

Oocysts (shed in feces);

~20-53 X 10-43 µm - Broadly oval, colorless to pinkish, no micropyle or micropylar cap.

Sporulated containing 1x2x4 architecture (2x sporocysts X 4x sporozoites = eight total).

Dogs & Cats, Pigs (C. suis), Humans (C. belli), Nonhuman primates (C. arctopitheci,C. callimico, and C. scorzai).  

Most species oocysts measuring ~ 20-53 X 10-43 µm (animal ones being larger than C. belli).

Cystoisospora spp. (Cystoisosporiasis);

Cystoisospora suis;

Seen in neonatal pigs (5-15 days old).

Watery or greasy diarrhea, yellowish and foul smelling.

Clinical disease happens in 2 phases;

First wave: 4-6 days of age.

Second wave: 4-8 days later.

High morbidity, mortality variable.

Eimeria spp. (Coccidiosis);

Most species oocysts is ovoid to ellipsoidal, ~10-40 X 10-30 µm (vast range), smooth, distinct micropyle.

Unsporulated oocyst shed in feces contain 1x4x2 architecture (4x sporocysts X 2x sporozoites (eight total)).

Takes 1-2 days to sporulate and become infectious.

Eimeria bovis and E. zuernii (Coccidiosis of cattle);

horses and donkeys

Eimeria leukarti (Coccidiosis)

~80-88 X 55-59 µm, dark brown, watermelon shaped seed.

horses and donkeys

Eimeria leukarti (Coccidiosis)

~80-88 X 55-59 µm, dark brown, watermelon shaped seed.

horses and donkeys

Eimeria leukarti (Coccidiosis)

~80-88 X 55-59 µm, dark brown, watermelon shaped seed.

new world camelids

Eimeria macusaniensis

EMAC ~80-88 X 55-59 µm, pyriform, thick cell wall and micropyle and cap.

rabbit

Eimeria stiedae

rabbit

Eimeria stiedae

rabbit

Eimeria stiedae

mammals

Balantidium coli

Cysts (found in fecal floatation's usually);

Non-multiplying, non-motile with no cilia, environmentally resistant. 

Smaller, spherical cysts (~40-70 x 40-60 µm).

mammals

Balantidium coli

Trophozoites (found in diarrhea);

~30–150 x 25–120 µm (largest protozoan parasite of humans).

Have both macronucleus and micronucleus.

Giardia duodenalis:

Trophozoites (found in small intestine and diarrhea);

~9–21 x 5–15 µm.

Pear-shaped, 2x nuclei, 4x pair of flagella, 2x median bodies, a ventral adhesive disk.

Cysts (found in fecal floatations usually);

~8-15 X 5-10 µm.

Ovoid to ellipsoid, possess a two-layered wall with 2–4 nuclei and internal fibrils (axonemes).

Giardia duodenalis:

Trophozoites (found in small intestine and diarrhea);

~9–21 x 5–15 µm.

Pear-shaped, 2x nuclei, 4x pair of flagella, 2x median bodies, a ventral adhesive disk.

Cysts (found in fecal floatations usually);

~8-15 X 5-10 µm.

Ovoid to ellipsoid, possess a two-layered wall with 2–4 nuclei and internal fibrils (axonemes).

Giardia duodenalis:

Trophozoites (found in small intestine and diarrhea);

~9–21 x 5–15 µm.

Pear-shaped, 2x nuclei, 4x pair of flagella, 2x median bodies, a ventral adhesive disk.

Cysts (found in fecal floatations usually);

~8-15 X 5-10 µm.

Ovoid to ellipsoid, possess a two-layered wall with 2–4 nuclei and internal fibrils (axonemes).

canines

Cystoisospora canis

34-40 X 28-32 µm

canines

Cystoisospora canis

34-40 X 28-32 µm

felines

Cystoisospora felis

38-51 X 27-39 µm

felines

Cystoisospora felis

38-51 X 27-39 µm

Cystoisospora ohioensis

20-27 × 15-24 um

Cystoisospora ohioensis

20-27 × 15-24 um

Cystoisospora rivolta

21-28 × 18-23 um

dark brown and watermelon shaped seed.

new world camelids

Eimeria ivitaensis

83–99 X 49–59 µm, ellipsoidal, not as thick, no micropylar cap

dark brown and watermelon shaped seed.

Cryptosporidium spp.

Oocysts (shed in feces);

~4-6 X 4.5-7 µm - No micropyle or micropylar cap, inner and outer walls are sealed closed by the suture.

Sporulated oocyst containing 1x0x4 architecture (0x sporocysts X 4x sporozoites total).

Cryptosporidium spp.

Oocysts (shed in feces);

~4-6 X 4.5-7 µm - No micropyle or micropylar cap, inner and outer walls are sealed closed by the suture.

Sporulated oocyst containing 1x0x4 architecture (0x sporocysts X 4x sporozoites total).

Cryptosporidium spp.

Oocysts (shed in feces);

~4-6 X 4.5-7 µm - No micropyle or micropylar cap, inner and outer walls are sealed closed by the suture.

Sporulated oocyst containing 1x0x4 architecture (0x sporocysts X 4x sporozoites total).

Cryptosporidium spp.

Oocysts (shed in feces);

~4-6 X 4.5-7 µm - No micropyle or micropylar cap, inner and outer walls are sealed closed by the suture.

Sporulated oocyst containing 1x0x4 architecture (0x sporocysts X 4x sporozoites total).

Cryptosporidium spp.

Oocysts (shed in feces);

~4-6 X 4.5-7 µm - No micropyle or micropylar cap, inner and outer walls are sealed closed by the suture.

Sporulated oocyst containing 1x0x4 architecture (0x sporocysts X 4x sporozoites total).

Cryptosporidium spp.

Oocysts (shed in feces);

~4-6 X 4.5-7 µm - No micropyle or micropylar cap, inner and outer walls are sealed closed by the suture.

Sporulated oocyst containing 1x0x4 architecture (0x sporocysts X 4x sporozoites total).