What are coccidia?

Question

What are coccidia?

Answer 1

Coccidia are tiny internal parasites (Eimeria spp) that live in the cells of the sheep's intestines. The tiny oocysts containing the infective stages are passed in the f***s and are picked up by other sheep through contaminated feed and water. The number of parasites that invade the intestinal tract determine the severity of disease that results in the condition called coccidiosis.

Answer 2

Coccidia are microscopic, spore-forming, single-celled parasites belonging to the apicomplexan class Conoidasida. Coccidian parasites infect the intestinal tracts of animals, and are the largest group of apicomplexan protozoa.

Coccidia are obligate, intracellular parasites, which means that they must live and reproduce within an animal cell.

If you want coccidiosis:

Coccidiosis is the disease caused by coccidian infection. Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of the intestinal tract of animals, caused by coccidian protozoa. The disease spreads from one animal to another by contact with infected f***s, or ingestion of infected tissue. Diarrhea, which may become bloody in severe cases, is the primary symptom. Most animals infected with coccidia are asymptomatic; however, young or immuno-compromised animals may suffer severe symptoms, including death.

While coccidian organisms 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.