Common Protozoa

small and large animals

Cystoisospora spp. (Isospora spp.) common name

coccidia

definitive host Cystoisospora spp.

dogs

• C. canis

• C. ohioensis

• C. neorivolta

• C. burrowsi

cats

• C. felis

• C. rivolta

PPP Cystoisospora spp.

1 week

transmission Cystoisospora spp.

ingestion of sporulate oocysts

ingestion of paratenic host

where Cystoisospora spp. found

small intestine

clinical signs Cystoisospora spp.

watery diarrhea sometimes with frank blood

kittens and puppies may be dehydrated and die

diagnosis Cystoisospora spp.

fecal floatation

• round to ellipsoid oocysts containing 1 sporocyst - possibly divided into 2 sporocysts

is Cystoisospora spp. zoonotic

no

Toxoplasma gondii common name

toxoplasmosis

definitive host Toxoplasma gondii

cats

PPP Toxoplasma gondii

1-3 weeks

transmission Toxoplasma gondii

ingestion of IH - birds, mammals

• the raw meat has it

ingestion of infective oocyte - fecal-oral

transplacental

transmammary - rare

diagnosis Toxoplasma gondii

PCR

serology - IgG and IgM titres

fecal floatation - not reliable since it is clear and hard to see

is Toxoplasma gondii zoonotic

yes

causes spontaneous abortion in humans

Cryptosporidium spp. common name

scours

definitve host Cryptosporidium spp.

many animals

mainly calves

humans

sometimes seen in cats - purebred especially

PPP Cryptosporidium spp.

2-14 days

transmission Cryptosporidium spp.

ingestion of sporulated oocyte in feces

where Cryptosporidium spp. found

small intestine

clinical signs Cryptosporidium spp.

extreme profuse watery diarrhea

• often contains mucus

• pale yellow

dehydration

death in calves especially

diagnosis Cryptosporidium spp.

PCR

OVC puddle technique

• fecal floatation with special stain

acid-fast stain of direct smear of feces

fecal floatation not reliable since it is clear and hard to see

is Cryptosporidium spp. zoonotic

yes

fecal-oral

Trichomonas foetus common name

causes venereal disease in cattle

definitive host Trichomonas foetus

cattle

cats

transmission Trichomonas foetus

passed when mating

in cats - fecal-oral possible venereal

where Trichomonas foetus found

bulls - penile epithelial cells - smegma

cows - vagina, uterus, oviduct - reproductive tract

cats - digestive tract

clinical signs Trichomonas foetus

bulls - none

cows - abortion, pyometra

cats - intermittent diarrhea

diagnosis Trichomonas foetus

trophozoites found in scrapings and washings in bulls

fresh fecal smear - cats

PCR

culture

is Trichomonas foetus zoonotic

no

Giardia spp. common name

beaver fever

definitive host Giardia spp.

most mammals

• dogs

• cats

PPP Giardia spp.

variable but usually 1 week

transmission Giardia spp.

ingestion of cysts in contaminated water or feces

where Giardia spp. found

small and large intestine

clinical signs Giardia spp.

diarrhea

chronic soft stool

• often with blood

• often with mucus

diagnosis Giardia spp.

fresh fecal smear

• not the best

centrifugal fecal floatation

• difficult

ELISA/fecal antigen

• best

PCR

Eimeria spp. common name

coccidia

definitive host Eimeria spp.

goats

sheep

pigs

cows

horses

rabbits

is Giardia spp. zoonotic

yes

PPP Eimeria spp.

15-33 days

transmission Eimeria spp.

ingestion of sporulated oocysts

where Eimeria spp. found

small intestine

clinical signs Eimeria spp.

usually none

certain ones CAN cause signs

diagnosis Eimeria spp.

fecal floatation

is Eimeria spp. zoonotic

no

definitive host Sarcocystis neurona

opossum

horses are aberrant hosts - dead ends

transmission Sarcocystis neurona

ingestion of IH - cats, skunks, raccoons

in horses they ingest the eggs

where Sarcocystis neurona found

in horse brains

causes Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis EPM

clinical signs Sarcocystis neurona

severe neurological signs in horses

diagnosis Sarcocystis neurona

can be difficult

CSF testing

is Sarcocystis neurona zoonotic

no