Coccidia
| Coccidia | |
|---|---|
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| Coccidia oocysts | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Chromalveolata |
| Superphylum: | Alveolata |
| Phylum: | Apicomplexa |
| Class: | Conoidasida |
| Subclass: | Coccidia or Coccidiasina |
| Orders | |
Coccidia (Coccidiasina) are a subclass of microscopic, spore-forming, single-celled obligate intracellular parasites belonging to the apicomplexan class Conoidasida.[1] As obligate intracellular parasites, they must live and reproduce within an animal cell. Coccidian parasites infect the intestinal tracts of animals,[2] and are the largest group of apicomplexan protozoa.
Infection with these parasites is known as coccidiosis.
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Taxonomy
The class is divided into four orders which are distinguished by the presence or absence of various asexual and sexual stages:
- Order Agamococcidiorida Levine 1979
- Order Eucoccidiorida Léger & Duboscq 1910
- Order Ixorheorida Levine 1984
- Order Protococcidiorida Kheisin 1956
The order Eucoccidiorida is divided into two suborders. These these two groups differ in their sexual development: syzygy for Adeleorina and independent gametes for Eimeriorina.
The first suborder, Adeleorina, comprises coccidia of invertebrates and the coccidia that alternate between blood-sucking invertebrates and various vertebrates; this group includes Haemogregarina and Hepatozoon. There are seven families in this suborder.
The second suborder, Eimeriorina, comprises coccidia of a variety of coccidia many of form cysts. A number of genera, including Toxoplasma and Sarcocystis, infect vertebrates.
See also
- Cryptosporidiosis
- List of parasites (human)
- Cyclosporiasis
- Zoalene is a fodder additive for poultry, used to prevent infections from coccidia.
References
- ^ "The Taxonomicon & Systema Naturae" (Website database). Taxon: Genus Cryptosporidium. Universal Taxonomic Services, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2000.
- ^ "Biodiversity explorer: Apicomplexa (apicomplexans, sporozoans)". Iziko Museums of Cape Town.
External links
- Coccidiosis treatment Coccidiosis treatment for Calves and Lambs
- Mar Vista Animal Medical Center.
- The Coccidia of the World, Donald W. Duszynski, Steve J. Upton, Lee Couch, Feb. 21, 2004.
- Life Cycle EIMERIA, Andreas Weck-Heimann, 1996–2005
- FarmingUK, Information about Coccidiosis
- Lillehoj, Hyun S. (October 1996). "Two Strategies for Protecting Poultry From Coccidia". Agricultural Research magazine (United States Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service) (October 1996). Describes using live-parasite vaccine versus a monoclonal antibody to block the sporozoite from invading a host's cell.
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