''Nephroisospora'' is a genus of parasites that infects bats

History

This genus was described in 2010 by Wünschmann ''et al''.

Taxonomy

There is one recognised species in this genus — ''Nephroisospora eptesici''.

Description

This genus infects the kidneys of brown bats (''

Eptesicus fuscus The big brown bat (''Eptesicus fuscus'') is a species of vesper bat distributed widely throughout North America, the Caribbean, and the northern portion of South America. It was first described as a species in 1796. Compared to other microbats ...

''). The host reaction is usually generally mild, focal or multifocal and consists of well demarcated cortical renal lesion less than 1 millimeter in diameter. Histologically these lesions are cystic, dilated tubules with hypertrophied tubular epithelial cells. The protozoa develop in the tubular epithelial cells and within the lumen of the cysts that develop as a response to infection. The

oocyst Apicomplexans, a group of intracellular parasites, have life cycle stages that allow them to survive the wide variety of environments they are exposed to during their complex life cycle. Each stage in the life cycle of an apicomplexan organism is ...

s are thin walled, sporulated and ellipsoidal measuring an average of 18.9 x 20.8 micrometers. Each oocysts contains 2 sporocysts with 4 sporozoites. The oocysts have a polar body and a prominent residuum but lack micropyles, sporocyst residua or Stieda bodies.

References

Apicomplexa genera Parasites of bats {{Apicomplexa-stub