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Chilomastix
Chilomastix is a genus of pyriform excavates within the family Retortamonadidae. All species within this genus are flagellated, structured with three flagella pointing anteriorly and a fourth contained within the feeding groove. Chilomastix also lacks Golgi apparatus and mitochondria but does possess a single nucleus. The genus parasitizes a wide range of vertebrate hosts, but is known to be typically non-pathogenic, and is therefore classified as harmless. The life cycle of Chilomastix lacks an intermediate host or vector. Chilomastix has a resistant cyst stage responsible for transmission and a trophozoite stage, which is recognized as the feeding stage. Chilomastix mesnili is one of the more studied species in this genus due to the fact it is a human parasite. Therefore, much of the information on this genus is based on what is known about this one species.
The nomenclature of this genus has been under much dispute throughout history, switching between many different taxonomic names. The first known report of this genus was in 1854 when patients in Paris showed infection by a parasitic flagellate. The human parasite was classified under the name of Cercomonas hominis var. 1 by Davaine (1854). In 1910, it was reclassified as its own species and named Macrostoma mesnili by Charles Morley Wenyon, an English protozoologist. It was again renamed to Chilomastix davainei (syn. Chilomastix mesnili) in 1920 by Kofoid. The origin of the name Chilomastix however, was before 1920. The initial proposal of Chilomastix being its own genus was urged by Alexeieffe in 1912 who was the first to thoroughly describe a species belonging to this genus. Although he initially called it Tetramitus caulleryi in 1910, he then referred it is as its own genus, Chilomastix in 1912.
Chilomastix has a worldwide distribution; Chilomastix mesnili is considered a cosmopolitan species, having been found in marine, freshwater and brackish waters. This genus, however, is more prevalent in warmer climates.
The cyst stage of the organism if often found in feces where it can thrive away from a host, until it is ingested. The trophozoite stage resides in the intestine of its host where it feeds on intestinal bacteria.
Species within this genus are known to parasitize a wide variety of mammalian hosts including humans, monkeys, chimpanzees, apes, and pigs. Bird hosts, as seen in ostriches, rheas, chickens and geese, as well as invertebrate hosts such as insects have also been documented.
The life cycle is direct, requiring no intermediate host or vector. Chilomastix exists as a cyst stage that is responsible for transmission and a trophozoite stage which is also known as the feeding stage. Transmission occurs via the fecal-oral route when water contaminated with feces that contain Chilomastix cysts is ingested. The uptake of cysts by the host leads to the excystation of one trophozoite per cyst, which then multiply via binary fission and reside within the intestine of the host. Trophozoites feed on the host's intestinal contents such as bacteria through endocytosis. Once the intestinal contents begin to dry out, the trophozoites then release a cyst wall through the process of encystation. Cysts are resistant and do not require feeding to survive, thus once the food source begins to run out, stimulation of encystation occurs. Both trophozoites and cysts are passed in the feces but only cysts can survive outside of the host and are therefore the stage of infection. When exposed to the external environment, the trophozoites disintegrate while the cysts remain living in bodies of water until they are again taken up by the next host, continuing the cycle of transmission.
Within the intestine of the host, Chilomastix trophozoites feed via endocytosis. This brings the particles into the cell and stimulates the formation of a food vacuole. Chilomastix often feeds on bacteria living inside the gut of the host. The cytosomal flagellum aids in bringing intestinal bacteria closer towards the cell, allowing the membrane to wrap around the food particle and pinch off to form a food vacuole within the cell body. The cyst stage is non-feeding.
Chilomastix species are generally regarded as harmless gut commensals and are non-pathogenic. They are typically asymptomatic as severity of infection is usually no higher than seen in Chilomastix mesnili and C. gallinarum, known to cause watery diarrhea.
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Chilomastix
Chilomastix is a genus of pyriform excavates within the family Retortamonadidae. All species within this genus are flagellated, structured with three flagella pointing anteriorly and a fourth contained within the feeding groove. Chilomastix also lacks Golgi apparatus and mitochondria but does possess a single nucleus. The genus parasitizes a wide range of vertebrate hosts, but is known to be typically non-pathogenic, and is therefore classified as harmless. The life cycle of Chilomastix lacks an intermediate host or vector. Chilomastix has a resistant cyst stage responsible for transmission and a trophozoite stage, which is recognized as the feeding stage. Chilomastix mesnili is one of the more studied species in this genus due to the fact it is a human parasite. Therefore, much of the information on this genus is based on what is known about this one species.
The nomenclature of this genus has been under much dispute throughout history, switching between many different taxonomic names. The first known report of this genus was in 1854 when patients in Paris showed infection by a parasitic flagellate. The human parasite was classified under the name of Cercomonas hominis var. 1 by Davaine (1854). In 1910, it was reclassified as its own species and named Macrostoma mesnili by Charles Morley Wenyon, an English protozoologist. It was again renamed to Chilomastix davainei (syn. Chilomastix mesnili) in 1920 by Kofoid. The origin of the name Chilomastix however, was before 1920. The initial proposal of Chilomastix being its own genus was urged by Alexeieffe in 1912 who was the first to thoroughly describe a species belonging to this genus. Although he initially called it Tetramitus caulleryi in 1910, he then referred it is as its own genus, Chilomastix in 1912.
Chilomastix has a worldwide distribution; Chilomastix mesnili is considered a cosmopolitan species, having been found in marine, freshwater and brackish waters. This genus, however, is more prevalent in warmer climates.
The cyst stage of the organism if often found in feces where it can thrive away from a host, until it is ingested. The trophozoite stage resides in the intestine of its host where it feeds on intestinal bacteria.
Species within this genus are known to parasitize a wide variety of mammalian hosts including humans, monkeys, chimpanzees, apes, and pigs. Bird hosts, as seen in ostriches, rheas, chickens and geese, as well as invertebrate hosts such as insects have also been documented.
The life cycle is direct, requiring no intermediate host or vector. Chilomastix exists as a cyst stage that is responsible for transmission and a trophozoite stage which is also known as the feeding stage. Transmission occurs via the fecal-oral route when water contaminated with feces that contain Chilomastix cysts is ingested. The uptake of cysts by the host leads to the excystation of one trophozoite per cyst, which then multiply via binary fission and reside within the intestine of the host. Trophozoites feed on the host's intestinal contents such as bacteria through endocytosis. Once the intestinal contents begin to dry out, the trophozoites then release a cyst wall through the process of encystation. Cysts are resistant and do not require feeding to survive, thus once the food source begins to run out, stimulation of encystation occurs. Both trophozoites and cysts are passed in the feces but only cysts can survive outside of the host and are therefore the stage of infection. When exposed to the external environment, the trophozoites disintegrate while the cysts remain living in bodies of water until they are again taken up by the next host, continuing the cycle of transmission.
Within the intestine of the host, Chilomastix trophozoites feed via endocytosis. This brings the particles into the cell and stimulates the formation of a food vacuole. Chilomastix often feeds on bacteria living inside the gut of the host. The cytosomal flagellum aids in bringing intestinal bacteria closer towards the cell, allowing the membrane to wrap around the food particle and pinch off to form a food vacuole within the cell body. The cyst stage is non-feeding.
Chilomastix species are generally regarded as harmless gut commensals and are non-pathogenic. They are typically asymptomatic as severity of infection is usually no higher than seen in Chilomastix mesnili and C. gallinarum, known to cause watery diarrhea.