Besnoitiosis

Protozoan disease of animals

Besnoitiosis is a protozoan disease of the skin, subcutis, blood vessels, mucous membranes, and other tissues" of animals.[1] It "is endemic in tropical and sub-tropical regions with high infection rate but low mortality"; however, it is rare in other regions.[2]

The causative organisms of the cutaneous disease, and the affected animals include:[1][2]

  • Besnoitia besnoiti in cattle (swelling of the lymph nodes, subcutaneous swellings, diarrhea, abortion and infertility)
  • Besnoitia bennetti in horses and donkeys (characterized by a widespread, serious dermatitis)
  • Besnoitia jellisoni and B. wallacei in rodents
  • Besnoitia tarandi in reindeer and caribou
  • Besnoitia darlingi in lizards, opossums, and snakes
  • Besnoitia sauriana in lizards
  • Viscerotropic strains of B. besnoiti in African antelope
  • An unidentified Besnoitia species in goats in Iran, New Zealand, and Kenya

References

  1. ^ a b "Besnoitiosis: Introduction". Merck Veterinary Manual.
  2. ^ a b "Besnoitiosis". The Free Dictionary.


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