A new species of Choleoeimeria (apicomplexa: eimeriidae) from oustalet's chameleon, Furcifer oustaleti (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae).

One of three (33%) captive specimens of Oustalet's chameleon, Furcifer oustaleti (Mocquard) originally from Madagascar and housed at the Oklahoma City Zoological Park Herpetarium, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, USA, was found to be passing an undescribed species of Choleoeimeria in its faeces. Oocysts of Choleoeimeria fischeri sp. n. were cylindroidal, 30.3 x 16.8 (28-34 x 15-18) microm, with a smooth, bilayered wall and a length/width ratio (L/W) of 1.8. A micropyle and oocyst residuum was absent but a fragmented polar granule was often present. Sporocysts were ovoidal, 9.6 x 8.0 (9-10 x 7-9) jm, with an L/W of 1.2. Stieda, sub-Stieda, and para-Stieda bodies were absent. The sporocyst residuum consists of large globules dispersed between sporozoites. Sporozoites were elongate, 8.6 x 2.9 (8-10 x 2-3) microm, with an elongate posterior refractile body. The new species represents the second coccidian described from this lizard.

A new species of Caryospora Léger, 1904 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the endangered Round Island boa Casarea dussumieri (Schlegel) (Serpentes: Bolyeridae) of Round Island, Mauritius: an endangered parasite?

A new species of Caryospora Léger, 1904 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), C. durelli n. sp., is described from the endangered Round Island boa Casarea dussumieri (Schlegel) (Serpentes: Bolyeridae) from Round Island, Mauritius. Six of 11 hosts were infected. Oöcysts are spherical to subspherical, 19.2 × 18.2 (17.5-21 × 16-21) µm, n = 20, and have a shape index (mean length/mean width) of 1.05 (1.02-1.09). The bi-layered wall is composed of an outer layer of c.0.6 µm thick and an inner layer of c.0.4 µm thick. A micropyle, oöcyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 14.7 × 11.0 (13-16 × 9.5-11.5) µm, n = 20, and have a shape index of 1.33. Both Stieda and substieda bodies are present. The sporocyst residuum measures c.12 × 4.5 µm, is surrounded by sporozoites and composed of numerous granules. Refractile bodies are present but not clearly visible. This is the first coccidian parasite reported from the family Bolyeridae and the first species of Caryospora durrelli [corrected] reported from the Mascarenes. Conservation issues concerning parasites of endangered host species are discussed.

Efficacy of some anticoccidial drugs for treating coccidial enteritis of the common carp caused by Goussia carpelli (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae).

In this study, nine anticoccidial drugs commonly used in poultry were tested for efficacy for the prevention and treatment of Goussia carpelli (Apicomplexa) infection in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). To establish experimental infection with G. carpelli, paratenic host oligochaetes of the genera Tubifex and Limnodrilus were infected with oocysts, and laboratory-cultured parasite-free common carp fingerlings were infected by feeding to them oligochaetes containing sporozoites. The anticoccidial drugs (amprolium, narasin, maduramicin, salinomycin Na, lasalocid Na, diclazuril, robenidine HCl, monensin Na and toltrazuril), mixed in the food of the fish in a dose of 200 mg/kg, were fed for 12 days. Common carp fingerlings fed diclazuril, lasalocid, robenidine HCl or maduramicin and killed on day 14 after exposure were free from infection, while other groups treated with amprolium, toltrazuril, monensin Na, narasin or salinomycin Na harboured oocysts in the mucus and epithelium of the gut.

Ultrastructural review of Choleoeimeria spp., a coccidium infecting the gall-bladder epithelium of reptiles.

Choleoeimeria Paperna and Landsberg, 1989 is a reptile coccidium with unique features. Its endogenous development occurs in the cells of the bile epithelium. Its host cell while becoming hypertrophic emerges above the epithelial surface. The following species studied by electron microscopy: C. alloagamae Paperna, 2007 from Agama sp. West Africa; C. allogehyrae Paperna, 2007 from Gehyra australis and C. heteronotis Paperna, 2007 from Heteronotia binoei, from Australia, and C. pachydactyli Paperna and Landsberg, 1989 from Pachydactylus capensis from South Africa. The fine structure of the respective endogenous stages is fairly uniform. The host-cell hypertrophy coincides with a drastic depletion of the microvilli, their junction zone with the underlying cell extends into numerous long and fine membranal out-folds. The PV of all infected cells is filled with typical round granular particles. Young meronts undergo binary fission. The differentiating microgamont develops an expanded multilobed body. Macrogamont's organelles include type 1 and type 2 wall forming bodies, canaliculi and granular bodies, suspected to be the precursors of the sporozoites refractile bodies. The oocyst wall forms from 4 wall-membranes consolidating over the zygote plasmalemma.

New species of Choleoeimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), coccidia of bile-bladders of reptiles, illustrating a multiplicity of host cell-parasite interrelations.

Oocyst characteristics and histological features of the endogenous development of bile-bladder coccidia of the genus Choleoeimeria Paperna and Landsberg, 1989 are described and the main features for species differentiation are discussed for the following new species: C. allogamae n. sp. from Agama sp., Cameroon, West Africa; C. allogehyrae n. sp. from Gehyra australis, Magnetic Island (type) and mainland N Queensland, Australia; C. boulii n. sp. from Gehyra variegata, SW Queensland, Australia; C. calotesi n. sp. from Calotes mystaceus, Xiang-Mai, Thailand; C. heteronotis n. sp. from Heteronotia binoei, N Queensland, Australia; C. lygosomis n. sp. from Lygosoma buringi, Kon-Kaen, Thailand; C. sylvatica n. sp. from Carlia rhomboidalis, N Queensland, Australia, and C. xiangmaii n. sp. from Hemidactylus frenatus, Xiang-Mai, Thailand. Oocyst characteristic of Choleoeimeria are also reported from Oedura castelnaui, N Queensland. The described species demonstrate a diversity of associations with the bile-bladder epithelial lining, from a single parasite in a single hypertrophic host cell to multiple infections inducing the hypertrophied cells to form stratified layers, or merge into branched clumps.

New species of Choleoeimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the veiled chameleon, Chamaeleo calyptratus (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae), with taxonomic revision of eimerian coccidia from chameleons.

Coprological examination of 71 samples from a breeding colony of veiled chameleons, Chamaeleo calyptratus Duméril et Duméril, 1851, revealed a presence of two species of coccidia. In 100% of the samples examined, oocysts of Isospora jaracimrmani Modrý et Koudela, 1995 were detected. A new coccidian species, Choleoeimeria hirbayah sp. n., was discovered in 32.4% of samples from the colony. Its oocysts are tetrasporocystic, cylindrical, 28.3 (25-30) x 14.8 (13.5-17.5) microm, with smooth, bilayered, -1 microm thick wall. Sporocysts are dizoic, ovoidal to ellipsoidal, 10.1 (9-11) x 6.9 (6-7.5) microm, sporocyst wall is composed of two plates joined by a meridional suture. Endogenous development is confined to the epithelium of the gall bladder, with infected cells being typically displaced from the epithelium layer towards lumen. A taxonomic revision of tetrasporocystic coccidia in the Chamaeleonidae is provided.

Ultrastructure of Goussia cruciata (Apicomplexa: Coccidia) infecting the liver of horse mackerel, Trachurus trachurus (L.), from Ibero-Atlantic waters.

The ultrastructure of developmental stages of Goussia cruciata and the pathology they cause in the liver of Trachurus trachurus (Teleostei: Carangidae) caught off the Galician (North-West Spain) and Portuguese North Atlantic coasts are described. Each oocyst contained four ellipsoidal sporocysts, with two sporozoites. The sporocyst wall consisted of a thick and dense inner layer with transverse striations and a multi-lamellated outer layer formed by parallel dense internal bands alternating with lighter areas. The lamellae formed filamentous extensions of the wall. The sporocyst wall striation period was smaller than that observed in G. clupearum, which has a similar habitat. The dehiscence suture, characteristic of the genus, was present in the sporocysts of G. cruciata. The sporocysts were arranged in a symmetrical and characteristic cross shape. A large number of sporocysts with sporozoites were observed in direct contact with host liver cells. No macroscopic lesions were observed. In heavily infected fish, aggregations of oocysts were often enveloped in a 'yellow body' composed of amylopectin granules derived from the parasite and necrotic or aggregated host cells. Degenerating parasites were frequently observed in liver tissue. Host inflammatory cells were accumulated near some oocysts. The ultrastructure of the parasite, together with its strict host specificity, confirmed G. cruciata as a separate and valid species.

The phylogeny of Goussia and Choleoeimeria (Apicomplexa; Eimeriorina) and the evolution of excystation structures in coccidia.

The phylogenetic relationships of Goussia janae and Choleoeimeria sp. were analyzed using the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rDNA). This is a first attempt to study the molecular phylogeny of coccidian genera parasitizing strictly poikilotherm hosts. The biliary Eimeria-like coccidia of reptiles classified into the genus Choleoeimeria form a sister clade to the family Eimeriidae, which confirms the separate generic status of the genus Choleoeimeria. The position of Goussia is less robustly resolved, since it forms a trichotomy with the Eimeriidae and Sarcocystidae, or alternatively constitutes the earliest branch of the coccidian lineage. Morphological similarities, namely the extracytoplasmic location of the endogenous stages, and the presence of sutures in the sporocyst wall are discussed in the context of the traditional classification of eimeriids. In contrast to the morphology-based systematics, the monophyly of Goussia and Choleoeimeria is not supported by the SSU rDNA data.

Fine structure of sporogonic stages of Goussia clupearum (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in the liver of infected fish (Belone belone L.), using light and electron microscopy.

A coccidian species, Goussia clupearum (L.) is reported to parasitize the liver of a new host, Belone belone (Teleostei: Belonidae), caught on the Atlantic coast at the north of Portugal. The parasitophorous vacuole containing oocysts was attached to the host's liver cells. Spherical oocysts (approximately 21.2 microm diameter), each containing four ellipsoidal elongated sporocysts (10.5 x 6.3 microm), were enclosed in the parasitophorous vacuole. Each sporocyst contained two sporozoites. The micropyle was absent, but a polar granule (without Stieda body) was present. Each sporozoite possessed four refractile bodies. During sporoblastogenesis and sporogenesis, one or two dense polar bodies were found within the oocysts. They were composed of a dense homogeneous core, surrounded by a ring of dense granular material. On occasion, we observed some sporocysts in direct contact with host cells. This paper describes the morphology and ultrastructural details of the oocysts, sporocysts and sporozoites of G. clupearum. This species seems to represent the only coccidium described in fish from this Atlantic coast.

Ultrastructural study of meronts and gamonts of Choleoeimeria rochalimai (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) developing in the gall bladder of the gecko Hemidactylus mabouia from Brazil.

Endogenous development of Choleoeimeria rochalimai (Carini et Pinto, 1926) Lainson et Paperna, 1999 in the gall bladder of Hemidactylus mabouia (Moreau de Jonnes, 1818) from Belém, Brazil is reported at the fine structural level. Meronts and gamonts develop in the epithelial cells of the gall bladder. Infected cells become enlarged and displaced above the epithelial layer. Developing merozoites, dividing meronts and succession of developing microgamonts from initial nuclear division up to final microgamete differentiation are described. In addition towall forming bodies, mature macrogamonts possess a large inclusion or cisterna with fine granular contents.

SCID mice as a tool for evaluation of heteroxenous life cycle pattern of Caryospora (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) species.

Adult severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice were inoculated with oocysts of 13 different Caryospora (Protozoa, Apicomplexa) species isolated from the faeces of 10 reptilian and three raptorial bird hosts in attempt to test heteroxenous life cycle pattern. Only three reptilian isolates originated from viperid snakes, namely from Calloselasma rhodostoma, Atheris nitschei and Vipera ursinii induced lethal dermal caryosporosis in SCID mice. Neither clinical signs nor developmental stages were observed in mice infected with further nine caryosporan isolates originated from other reptilian and raptorial bird hosts. Results of this study confirmed that SCID mice represent a useful tool for evaluation of heteroxenous life cycle pattern of caryosporan coccidia and that only the Caryospora species from viperid and crotalid snakes produce dermal caryosporosis in mice