Coccidiosis - Pig

Isospora suis oocyst from pig faeces - Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

• Many species of Eimeria and Isospora

• Only Isospora suis is of clinical pathogenic importance

• Causes sporadic, serious and sometimes fatal disease in unweaned piglets
  • Causes profuse diarrhoea

• Very short 1 week prepatent period

• Diarrhoea starts before oocysts are shed in faeces
  • Ante-mortem diagnosis is difficult

• Death usually occurs after parasites have left the host
  • Post-mortem diagnosis difficult
  • Isospora infections are self-limiting