| Klossiella | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Klossiella equi | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
| Clade: | SAR |
| Clade: | Alveolata |
| Phylum: | Apicomplexa |
| Class: | Conoidasida |
| Order: | Eucoccidiorida |
| Suborder: | Adeleorina |
| Family: | Klossiellidae Smith & Johnson, 1902 |
| Genus: | Klossiella Smith & Johnson, 1902 |
| Species | |
Klossiella bettongiae | |
Klossiella is a genus of parasitic alveolates of thephylumApicomplexa. Species in this genus infect the renal tract ofmammals and intestinal tract ofsnakes.
Thetype species isKlossiella muris.
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 nameKlossiella muris.[1]
Currently there are 17 species recognised in this genus. All except one (Klossiella boae) infect the renal tracts of mammals.
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 undergoesmerogony followed bygametogony andsporogony. It produces polysporocysticoocysts without a resistant oocyst wall. The resistantsporocysts are then shed in theurine.
The oocysts are subspherical, smooth and measure 22-24 μm by 20-21 μm.
K. boae occurs both in the intestine and the kidney of the boa constrictor.[2] It may cause anorexia, restlessness, hemorrhagic enteritis and intussusception.
This genus has also been found in the kidneys of bats but the species was not identified.[4]
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