Protozoa /Pro·to·zoa/ (-zo´ah) a subkingdom comprising the simplest organisms of the animal kingdom, consisting of unicellular organisms ranging in size from submicroscopic to macroscopic. It comprises the Sarcomastigophora, Labyrinthomorpha, Apicomplexa, Microspora, Acetospora, Myxozoa, and Ciliophora.
Protozoa
protozoon
Protozoa [pro″to-zo´ah]
protozoa [pro″to-zo´ah]
pro·to·zo·a (pr  t -z )n. Plural of protozoan. |
Protozoa
Group of extremely small single cell (unicellular) or acellular organisms that are found in moist soil or water. They tend to exist as parasites, living off other life forms.
Mentioned in: Antimalarial Drugs, Cryptosporidiosis, Cyclosporiasis, Elephantiasis, Hepatitis, Alcoholic, Leishmaniasis, Stool O & P Test
protozoon
[prō′təzō′ən] pl. protozoa
Etymology: Gk, protos + zoon, animal
a unicellular protist that ingests food. Protozoa include free-living forms, such as amebas and paramecia, as well as parasites. Approximately 30 protozoa are pathogenic to humans, including Plasmodium, which causes malaria, and Trypanosoma, which causes sleeping sickness. See also mastigophora. protozoal, protozoan, adj.
Protozoa [pro″to-zo´ah]
a subkingdom (formerly a phylum) comprising the unicellular eukaryotic organisms; most are free-living, but some lead commensalistic, mutualistic, or parasitic existences. According to newer classifications, the Protozoa are divided into seven phyla: Sarcomastigophora, Labyrinthomorpha, Apicoplexa, Microspora, Acetospora, Myxozoa, and Aliophora. Pathogenic protozoa include Plasmodium species, the cause of human malaria; Trypanosoma gambiense, the cause of African trypanosomiasis; Toxoplasma gondii, of which house cats are the reservoir and humans the intermediate host; Entamoeba histolytica, the cause of amebic dysentery; and Balantidium coli and Isospora belli, both of which cause diarrhea in humans.
Protozoa can be ingested and transmitted through contaminated feces. Prevention of transmission is extremely important; handwashing and stool precautions are recommended. Other necessary precautions (see infection control) should be carried out according to directions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Protozoal infections are occurring more frequently in North America and other industrialized countries because of increased world travel.
Protozoa can be ingested and transmitted through contaminated feces. Prevention of transmission is extremely important; handwashing and stool precautions are recommended. Other necessary precautions (see infection control) should be carried out according to directions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Protozoal infections are occurring more frequently in North America and other industrialized countries because of increased world travel.
protozoa [pro″to-zo´ah]
plural of protozoon.
Protozoa
a phylum comprising the unicellular eukaryotic organisms; most are freeliving, but some lead commensalistic, mutualistic, saprophytic or parasitic existences. Subphyla of veterinary interest include: (1) Sarcodina—including coccidia, cryptosporidia, Toxoplasma, Babesia, Plasmodium and others; (2) Mastigophora—including trypanosomes, Histomonas, Trichomonas spp.
Pathogenic protozoa for animals include: Acanthamoeba, Babesia, Balantidium, Besnoitia, Chilomastix, Cochlosoma, Cryptobia, Cryptosporidium, Cystoisospora, Dientamoeba, Eimeria, Encephalitozoon, Endolimax, Entamoeba, Frenkelia, Giardia, Haemoproteus, Hammondia, Hartmannella, Hepatozoon, Hexamita, Histomonas, Iodamoeba, Isospora, Klossiella, Leishmania, Leucocytozoon, Naegleria, Parahistomonas, Pentatrichomonas, Plasmodium, Sarcocystis, Theileria, Toxoplasma, Trichomonas, Tritrichomonas, Trypanosoma, Tyzzeria and Wenyonella spp.
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