Besnoitiosis Explained

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: Besnoitiosis: Introduction. Merck Veterinary Manual.
2. Web site: Besnoitiosis. The Free Dictionary.