Cystoisospora

Genus of single-celled organisms

Cystoisospora
strained oocyst of "Cystoisospora belli"
Strained oocyst of Cystoisospora belli
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Diaphoretickes
Clade: SAR
Clade: Alveolata
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Conoidasida
Order: Eucoccidiorida
Family: Sarcocystidae
Genus: Cystoisospora
Frenkel, 1977
Species[1]
  • Cystoisospora belli
  • Cystoisospora canis
  • Cystoisospora felis Wenyon 1923
  • Cystoisospora ohioensis
  • Cystoisospora suis
  • Cystoisospora timoni
Synonyms[2]

Levineia Dubey, 1977

Cystoisospora is a genus of parasitic alveolates belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa.

Taxonomy

This genus was originally created by J. K. Frenkel in 1977. Its use was discontinued but was resurrected in 2005.[2] This genus currently includes species that have oocysts containing two sporocysts with four sporozoites in each without Stieda bodies. These species infect the enterocytes of mammals and are transmitted by the orofaecal route.

DNA analysis has shown that this genus belongs to the family Sarcocystidae.[3]

The type species of this genus is Cystoisospora felis.

Life cycle

This parasite has been isolated from dogs, cats and raccoons. C. belli has been isolated from immunosuppressed humans — particularly those with HIV infection.

These parasites normally infect the enterocytes of the small intestine and are spread by the orofaecal route. The definitive hosts are cats but other species including various species of rodents may be infected. No further development occurs in these paratenic hosts and the parasites remain dormant until ingested by a definitive host.

Epidemiology

This genus has been recorded worldwide.[4] C. felis and C. rivolta occur in up to 40% of cats in some tropical countries.[5]

Clinical

Clinical signs include watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever and weight loss. The diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of the stool. Distinguishing between the species of Cystoisospora is most easily done with PCR. This method can also be used to make the diagnosis.

Treatment is based on trimethoprim-sulfonamides with clindamycin or toltrazuril for resistant strains.[6]

Prevention

Hygiene on the premises is important in prevention. Good litter tray hygiene is also critical in multi-cat households. Utensils, runs, cages and other implements should be steam-cleaned or washed in boiling water. Because of the importance of paratenic hosts such as cockroaches, insect control is critical.

References

  1. ^ "Cystoisospora". NCBI taxonomy. Bethesda, MD: National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  2. ^ a b Barta, JR; Schrenzel, MD; Carreno, R; Rideout, BA (June 2005). "The genus Atoxoplasma (Garnham 1950) as a junior objective synonym of the genus Isospora (Schneider 1881) species infecting birds and resurrection of Cystoisospora (Frenkel 1977) as the correct genus for Isospora species infecting mammals". The Journal of Parasitology. 91 (3): 726–7. doi:10.1645/GE-3341.1. PMID 16108579.
  3. ^ Samarasinghe, B; Johnson, J; Ryan, U (April 2008). "Phylogenetic analysis of Cystoisospora species at the rRNA ITS1 locus and development of a PCR-RFLP assay". Experimental Parasitology. 118 (4): 592–5. doi:10.1016/j.exppara.2007.10.015. PMID 18067892.
  4. ^ Schuster, RK; Thomas, K; Sivakumar, S; O'Donovan, D (July 2009). "The parasite fauna of stray domestic cats (Felis catus) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates". Parasitology Research. 105 (1): 125–34. doi:10.1007/s00436-009-1372-6. PMID 19238440.
  5. ^ Coelho, WM; do Amarante, AF; de Soutello, RV; Meireles, MV; Bresciani, KD (2009). "Occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in fecal samples of cats in Andradina City, São Paulo". Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinaria (in Portuguese). 18 (2): 46–9. doi:10.4322/rbpv.01802010. hdl:11449/14788. PMID 19602317.Open access icon
  6. ^ Lloyd, S; Smith, J (21 April 2001). "Activity of toltrazuril and diclazuril against Isospora species in kittens and puppies". The Veterinary Record. 148 (16): 509–11. doi:10.1136/vr.148.16.509. PMID 11345994.
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Domain
Archaea
Bacteria
Eukaryota
(major groups
Excavata
Diaphoretickes
Hacrobia
Rhizaria
Alveolata
Stramenopiles
Plants
Amorphea
Amoebozoa
Opisthokonta
Animals
Fungi)
Acavomonidia
Acavomonadea
Acavomonadida (Acavomonas)
Ciliophora
Intramacronucleata
Postciliodesmatophora
Mesodiniea (Mesodinium, Myrionecta)
Colponemidia
Colponemadea
Colponemadida (Colponema)
Aconoidasida
Haemospororida
Piroplasmida
Agamococcidiorida
Eucoccidiorida
Adeleorina
Eimeriorina
Sarcocystidae
Ixorheorida
Protococcidiorida
Archigregarinorida
Eugregarinorida
Aseptatorina
Blastogregarinorina
Septatorina
Neogregarinorida
Apicomonadea
Chromerida
Colpodellida
Voromonadida
Dinoflagellata
Dinokaryota
Noctilucea
Syndinea
Other
Perkinsozoa
Perkinsea
Protoalveolata
Ellobiopsea
  • Ellobiopsidae (Elliobiocystis, Ellobiopsis, Parallobiopsis, Thalassomyces, Rhizellobiopsis)
Myzomonadea
Algovorida
  • Algovoridae (Algovora)
Chilovorida
  • Chilovoridae (Chilovora)
Squirmidea
Taxon identifiers
Cystoisospora