Coccidian protozoan Obligate parasite Single-celled
Worldwide Subtropical Tropical
Domain: Eukaryote Phylum: Apicomplexa Class: Coccidia Order: Eucoccidiorida Family: Eimeriidae Domain: Eukaryote Phylum: Apicomplexa Class: Coccidia Order: Eucoccidiorida Family: Eimeriidae
intestinal villus (enterocytes) lamina propria of the villus
1. Sexual 2. Asexual
Immature, unsporulated oocyst is excreted through feces. Sporoblast divides into two Each sporoblast develops into a sporocyst with 4 sporozoites, resulting in mature oocysts. The time spent in stages 1 through 3 is 2-3 days. Mature oocyst is ingested. Oocyst bursts. Sporozoites are released and lodge into the intestinal lining. Sporozoites undergo asexual reproduction to form merozoites. The merozoites mature into gametes which undergo fertilization to produce a new oocyst
Small intestine
Oocyst. Size: μm long μm wide
Human Animal
o Transmitted by fecal-oral contamination. o Occurs poor sanitation conditions. o 3-14 day incubation period between the ingestion of an infectious oocyst and onset of symptoms. o After ingestion, the sporozoites invade in the small intestine which eventually destroys these cells..
Water contaminated food Poor sanitation
Acute infection include: Diarrhea with abdominal pain Malabsorption Weight loss
Abdominal pain and cramping Anorexia and weight loss General malaise Low fever Vomiting
Oocysts in the feces Duodenal biopsy Enterotest
Typical laboratory analyses include: Microscopy Morphologic comparison with other intestinal parasites Bench aids for Isospora
Warn travelers not to visit regions where the protozoan is endemic
Trimethoprim (TMP) Sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) Co-trimoxazole