Cystoisospora belli
Cystoisospora belli | |
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stained oocyst of Cystoisospora belli
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
Clade: | SAR |
Clade: | Alveolata |
Phylum: | Apicomplexa |
Class: | Conoidasida |
Order: | Eucoccidiorida |
Family: | Sarcocystidae |
Genus: | Cystoisospora |
Species: | C. belli
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Binomial name | |
Cystoisospora belli (Wenyon, 1923)
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Synonyms | |
Isospora belli |
Cystoisospora belli, previously known as Isospora belli, is a
Morphology
A fully mature (sporulated)
Life cycle
- An oocyst with one sporoblast is released in stool of infected person
- After the oocyst has been released, the sporoblast matures further and divides into two
- After the sporoblasts divide they create a cyst wall and become sporocysts
- The sporocysts each divide twice, resulting in four sporozoites
- Transmission occurs when these mature oocysts are ingested
- The sporocysts excyst in the small intestine where sporozoites are released
- The sporozoites then invade epithelial cells and schizogony is initiated
- When the schizonts rupture, merozoites are released and continue to invade more epithelial cells
- Trophozoites develop into schizonts, containing many merozoites
- After about one week, development of male and female gametocytes begin in the merozoites
- Fertilization results in the development of oocysts, which are released in the stool [1][6]
The sporulation time of this parasite's egg is usually 1–4 days, and the entire life cycle takes about 9–10 days.[7] The infective stage found in stool is the mature oocyst.[1] The mature oocyst for Cystoisospora belli can remain infective in the environment for months.[8]
Symptoms
Immune competent individuals are usually asymptomatic to this parasite's infection. But clinical symptoms such as mild diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and low grade fever for approximately one week has been observed in some individuals.[2]
Immunocompromised people are more severely affected by Cystoisospora belli and can experience extreme diarrhea that can lead to weakness, anorexia, and weight loss. Other symptoms of cystoisosporiasis include abdominal pain, cramps, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fever, that can last from weeks to months.[1][5][9]
Diagnosis and treatment
Cystoisospora belli is diagnosed by identification of the
Eosinophilia may also be seen unlike in the case of other protozoal infections.[3]
This infection is easily treated with antibiotics. The most common antibiotic that is prescribed is
In
Transmission and prevention
Cystoisospora belli does not require an intermediate host and currently is only known to transmit from person to person.[11] The method of transmission is ingesting food or water that has been contaminated with feces from someone who is infected.[1] Washing your hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before handling food is vital. Also, educating children the importance of hand-washing and good hygiene practice is important.[1] Because HIV-AIDS patients will have higher risk of symptomatic intestinal parasitic infections, and pathogenic burden can increase disease progression and contributes to early death, routine screening of parasites especially in patients with lower CD4 count should be emphasized.[12]
History
Isospora belli was discovered by Rudolf Virchow in 1860 and was named by Charles Morley Wenyon in 1923. The parasite is now known as Cystoisospora belli.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Centers For Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cystoisospora/index.html[full citation needed]
- ^ ISBN 978-0812112375.
- ^ a b c Auwaerter, Paul. "Cystoisospora belli". Johns Hopkins Guides. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
- ISBN 9780073028279.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-58321-403-9.
- ^ "Cystoisospora belli" at the Encyclopedia of Life
- ^ Lapage, Geoffrey (1968). Veterinary Parasitology (Second ed.). Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas. p. 967.
- PMID 21458380.
- S2CID 21888232.
- PMID 2927483.
- ^ "Cystoisospora belli - Overview - Encyclopedia of Life". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 2017-04-21.
- ^ Gupta, K., Bala, M., Deb, M., Muralidhar, S., & Sharma, D. K. (2013). Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in HIV-infected individuals and their relationship with immune status. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology, 31(2), 161-165. doi:10.4103/0255-0857.115247