COCCIDIOSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Coccidiosis is a medical condition that refers to a parasitic infection caused by a group of protozoan parasites called coccidia. These microscopic organisms can infect the intestines of animals, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. Coccidiosis is characterized by the presence and proliferation of these parasites within the cells lining the intestinal tract.
The infection usually occurs through the ingestion of contaminated food or water that contains the coccidia oocysts shed in the feces of infected animals. Once inside the body, the oocysts release the infective stage of the parasite, which invades the cells lining the gut, causing damage to the intestinal lining and leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, dehydration, and weight loss.
Coccidiosis can affect various species, with specific strains of coccidia targeting different animals. For example, Eimeria and Isospora are the most common genera affecting livestock animals, while Cryptosporidium is a well-known coccidian parasite causing human coccidiosis. The severity of the infection can range from mild, self-limiting cases to severe, life-threatening conditions, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
The treatment of coccidiosis typically involves administering specific medications, called coccidiostats, which are designed to kill or inhibit the growth of the parasite. Preventive measures, such as maintaining good hygiene, proper sanitation, and control of animal populations, can also help to reduce the risk of coccidiosis transmission.
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The occurrence in the liver, usually of the rabbit, of rounded whitish nodules of variable size situated along the smaller bile-ducts; these consist of hypertrophy of the epithelium of the ducts due to inclusions of coccidia.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for COCCIDIOSIS
- xoccidiosis
- voccidiosis
- foccidiosis
- doccidiosis
- ciccidiosis
- ckccidiosis
- clccidiosis
- cpccidiosis
- c0ccidiosis
- c9ccidiosis
- coxcidiosis
- covcidiosis
- cofcidiosis
- codcidiosis
- cocxidiosis
- cocvidiosis
- cocfidiosis
- cocdidiosis
- coccudiosis
- koccidiosis
- Coceidiosis
Etymology of COCCIDIOSIS
The word "coccidiosis" is derived from the Greek words "kokkos" meaning "berry" or "seed" and "idos" meaning "likeness" or "resemblance". "Coccidiosis" refers to a parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Coccidia, which are often round-shaped or resemble berries or seeds when viewed under a microscope.
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