Klossiella

{{Short description|Genus of single-celled organisms}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| image = Sporocysts of Klossiella equi.png

| image_caption = Klossiella equi

| parent_authority = Smith & Johnson, 1902

| display_parents = 2

| taxon = Klossiella

| authority = Smith & Johnson, 1902

| subdivision_ranks = Species

| subdivision = Klossiella bettongiae

Klossiella beveridgei

Klossiella boae

Klossiella callitris

Klossiella cobayae

Klossiella equi

Klossiella hydromyos

Klossiella killicki

Klossiella mabokensis

Klossiella muris

Klossiella quimrensis

Klossiella rufogrisei

Klossiella rufi

Klossiella schoinobatis

Klossiella serendipensis

Klossiella tejerai

Klossiella thylogale

}}

Klossiella is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this genus infect the renal tract of mammals and intestinal tract of snakes.

The type species is Klossiella muris.

History

The first member of this genus was identified by Smith in 1889 in the kidney of a white mouse. An expanded study of this parasite was later published by Smith and Johnson in 1902 where they suggested the name Klossiella muris.Smith T & Johnson HP (1902) On a coccidium (Klossiella muris, gen. et spec. nov.) parasitic in the renal epithelium of the mouse. J Exp Med; 6(3): 303–316

Taxonomy

Currently there are 17 species recognised in this genus. All except one (Klossiella boae) infect the renal tracts of mammals.

Description

This genus is unusual in having only a single host in its life cycle.

The parasite is ingested and within the gut sporozoites escape from the sporocyst and invade the blood stream. Upon reaching the kidney, within the epithelium of the kidney the sporozoite undergoes merogony followed by gametogony and sporogony. It produces polysporocystic oocysts without a resistant oocyst wall. The resistant sporocysts are then shed in the urine.

The oocysts are subspherical, smooth and measure 22-24 μm by 20-21 μm.

Clinical

K. boae occurs both in the intestine and the kidney of the boa constrictor.Zwart P (1964) Intraepithelial protozoon, Klossiella boae n. sp. in the kidneys of a Boa constrictor. J Euk Microbiol 11 (2) 261–263 It may cause anorexia, restlessness, hemorrhagic enteritis and intussusception.

Host records

=Note=

This genus has also been found in the kidneys of bats but the species was not identified.Kusewitt DF, Wagner JE, Harris PD (1977) Klossiella sp. in the kidneys of two bats (Myotis sodalis). Vet Parasitol 3 (4), 365-369

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Alveolata}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q16983954}}

Category:Apicomplexa genera

Category:Veterinary protozoology

{{Apicomplexa-stub}}