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
edit- ^ a b "Besnoitiosis: Introduction". Merck Veterinary Manual.
- ^ a b "Besnoitiosis". The Free Dictionary.