22 Protozoa 2

Question 1

Is Eimeria host specific?

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

What is the infective stage of Eimeria?

Answer 2

Sporulated oocysts

Question 3

How long does it take for unsporulated Eimeria cysts to become sporulated?

Answer 3

Roughly 48 hrs

Question 4

Each Eimeria contains ___ sporocysts with ___ sporozoites.

Answer 4

4 sporocysts; 2 sporozoites

Question 5

What are the replicating stages of Eimeria in the intestines called (collectively as a group)?

Answer 5

Zoites

Question 6

How is Eimeria diagnosed?

Answer 6

Double centrifugation fecal flotation

Question 7

What is the pathogenesis of Eimeria?

Answer 7

Sexual and asexual reproduction occurs in the intestinal epithelial cells and zoites eventually burst out of the cell, damaging/killing it.

Question 8

T or F: if Eimeria is found on fecal flotation, it is probably the cause of disease.

Answer 8

False - just seeing Eimeria doesn’t mean that it is causing the disease

Question 9

What are the clinical signs of coccidiosis due to Eimeria?

Answer 9

Diarrhea, fever, weight loss, inappetence, emaciation, death – or may just have reduced productivity

Question 10

T or F: clinical disease and infection prevalence of Eimeria are roughly the same.

Answer 10

F - clinical disease is seen in 5-10% of infected animals

Question 11

What species of Eimeria infects horses?

Answer 11

Eimeria leuckarti

Question 12

Is Eimeria leuckarti typically pathogenic?

Answer 12

No

Question 13

What species of Eimeria infects rabbits?

Answer 13

Eimeria stiedae

Question 14

Where are Eimeria stiedae eggs shed?

Answer 14

Into the bile ducts

Question 15

What is unique about Eimeria stiedae pathogenesis?

Answer 15

It is localized in the liver instead of the intestines and can lead to liver failure

Question 16

Does Eimeria have zoonotic potential?

Answer 16

No - it’s host specific

Question 17

How long do Cryptosporidum oocysts take to sporulate in the environment?

Answer 17

They are already sporulated when they are shed from the host in feces - sporulation occurs in the intestines

Question 18

What species are affected by Eimeria?

Answer 18

Cattle, sheep, goats, horses, poultry, pigs, rabbits

Question 19

Are Cryptosporidum spp. host specific?

Answer 19

Yes, but may be shared in some immunocompromised individuals

Question 20

What protozoa is a leading cause of diarrhea in neonatal calves?

Answer 20

Cryptosporidium

Question 21

What is the most common species of Cryptosporidium

Answer 21

C. parvum

Question 22

Compare and contrast thin vs. thick walled Cryptosporidium oocysts.

Answer 22

Thin walled oocysts rupture and re-infect the host’s intestines. Thick walled oocysts are shed into the environment.

Question 23

What part of enterocytes do Cryptosporidium live in?

Answer 23

The microvillous brush border of intestinal epithelial cells

Question 24

How is Cryptosporidium diagnosed in a general clinic?

Answer 24

Double centrifugation fecal flotation

Question 25

How is Cryptosporidium diagnosed in a diagnostic lab?

Answer 25

Direct fluorescent antibody test (gold standard), PCR, or acid fast stain

Question 26

How is Cryptosporidium treated?

Answer 26

Supportive therapy - fluid replacement and good nutrition

Question 27

What species of coccidia can infect dogs and cats?

Answer 27

Cryptosporidium and cystoisospora

Question 28

What species can be infected with Cryptosporidium?

Answer 28

Livestock, pets, primates, wildlife (incl. mammals, birds, and reptiles)

Question 29

What other parasitic egg do Cystoisospora look like on fecal flotation?

Answer 29

Toxocara - but Cystoisospora is much smaller

Question 30

Cystoisospora have ____ sporocysts with ____ sporozoites.

Answer 30

2 sporocysts; 4 sporozoites

Question 31

How is Cystoisospora transmitted to dogs and cats?

Answer 31

Fecal-oral transmission or paratenic hosts

Question 32

Are Cystoisospora zoonotic?

Answer 32

No -- strictly host specific

Question 33

What are the clinical signs of coccidiosis in dogs and cats?

Answer 33

Diarrhea (acute or chronic), weight loss, dehydration, hemorrhage (rare)

Question 34

What is the only approved drug to treat coccidiosis in dogs and cats?

Answer 34

Sulfadimethoxine (Albon)

Question 35

T or F: presence of oocysts in feces is proof coccidiosis is the cause of clinical signs.

Answer 35

F - many animals carry coccidiosis asymptomatically

Question 36

What genera of coccidia can pigs be infected with?

Answer 36

Eimeria and cystoisospora