Klossiella

Klossiella is a genus of parasitic alveolates of the phylum Apicomplexa. Species in this genus infect the renal tract of mammals and intestinal tract of snakes.

The type species is Klossiella muris.

The first member of this genus was identified by Smith in 1889 in the kidney of a white mouse. An expanded study of this parasite was later published by Smith and Johnson in 1902 where they suggested the name Klossiella muris.

Currently there are 17 species recognised in this genus. All except one (Klossiella boae) infect the renal tracts of mammals.

This genus is unusual in having only a single host in its life cycle.

The parasite is ingested and within the gut sporozoites escape from the sporocyst and invade the blood stream. Upon reaching the kidney, within the epithelium of the kidney the sporozoite undergoes merogony followed by gametogony and sporogony. It produces polysporocystic oocysts without a resistant oocyst wall. The resistant sporocysts are then shed in the urine.

The oocysts are subspherical, smooth and measure 22-24 μm by 20-21 μm.

K. boae occurs both in the intestine and the kidney of the boa constrictor. It may cause anorexia, restlessness, hemorrhagic enteritis and intussusception.