Coccidia (Protozoa:Sporozoasida) of cats and dogs. III. The occurrence of a species of Besnoitia in cats

Authors: McKenna PB, Charleston WAG
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 28, Issue 6, pp 120-122, Jun 1980
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cat, Companion animal, Dog
Subject Terms: Alimentary system/gastroenterology, Protozoa, Infectious disease, Disease/defect, Muscle/myology, Parasites - internal, Research/development
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Macroscopically visible spherical cysts measuring up to 260μm in diameter and showing characteristics typical of those of the genus Besnoitia were observed in rats dosed with isosporan oocysts recovered from the faeces of a feral cat. Kittens fed these rats shed similar oocysts measuring 16.9 ± 0.1 x 14.6 ± 0.1 μm in their faeces 11-12 days later. The feeding of sporulated oocysts of this coccidian to mice, rats, rabbits and guinea pigs resulted in the formation of Besnoitia cysts in all hosts except the last. Besnoitia is the fourth sporozoan genus, together with Isospora, Toxoplasma, and Sarcocystis to be recovered from New Zealand cats.

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