Domain Eukaryota Rank Genus | ||
Family KlossiellidaeSmith & Johnson 1902 People also search for Legerella, Fusionidae, Stylocephaloidea | ||
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.
Contents
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.
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 it escapes from the sporocyte and invades the blood stream. Upon reaching the kidney, within the epithelium of the kidney it undergoes 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. 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.