While coccidia can infect a wide variety of animals, including humans, birds, and livestock, they are usually species-specific. One well-known exception is toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii.
Can coccidia cross species?
Coccidia are host-specific, and there is no cross-immunity between species of coccidia. Coccidiosis is seen universally, most commonly in young animals housed or confined in small areas contaminated with oocysts.
What species does coccidiosis affect?
Coccidiosis is an economically important disease of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry and rabbits, in which the liver as well as the intestine can be affected. In dogs, cats, and horses, coccidiosis is less often diagnosed but can result in clinical illness.
Why is coccidiosis called self-limiting?
Eimeria infections are self-limiting because the parasites only pass through a limited number of asexual multiplications. Coccidiosis involves (extensive) destruction of the intestinal epithelia. The effects of intestinal coccidiosis in mammals vary with the host–parasite system.
What is the most pathogenic species of coccidia?
necatrix are the most pathogenic species and are associated with necrohemorrhagic typhlitis. Eimeria. acervulina and E. maxima are the most prevalent ones and cause lesions in the small intestine.
