Transmission Infected animals spread spores called
oocysts in their stool. The oocysts mature, called sporulation. When another animal passes over the location where the feces were deposited, it may pick up the spores, which it then ingests when grooming itself. Mice may ingest the spores and become infected. When another animal eats the mouse, it becomes infected. Some species of coccidia are transmissible to humans, including
toxoplasma and
cryptosporidium.
Infection Inside the host, the sporulated oocyst opens, and eight sporozoites are released. Each one finds a home in an intestinal cell and starts the process of reproduction. These offspring are called merozoites. When the cell is stuffed full of merozoites, it bursts open, and each merozoite finds its own intestinal cell to continue the cycle.
Diagnosis and treatment Coccidiosis can be diagnosed by finding oocysts in
fecal smears. In early stages of the disease, there may be very few oocysts being shed, and a negative test does not rule out the disease. Coccidiosis is most commonly treated through the administration of
coccidiostats, a group of medications that stop coccidia from reproducing. In dogs and cats, the most commonly administered coccidiostat is
sulfa-based antibiotics. Once reproduction stops, the animal can usually recover on its own, a process that can take a few weeks, depending on the severity of the infection and the strength of the animal's immune system. == See also ==