The word "Besnoitia" is pronounced as /bɛs.noɪ.ʃə/. The IPA phonetic transcription reveals that the first syllable is pronounced as "bess" with a short "e" sound, followed by "noi" with a long "o" sound, and ending with "shia." The spelling of the word is derived from the name of the French veterinarian Paul Besnoit, who first discovered this protozoan parasite. Besnoitia is a genus of intermittent parasites known to cause disease in livestock, wildlife, humans, and marine animals.
Besnoitia is a genus of intracellular parasites that are primarily observed in mammals, particularly in livestock animals. These parasites belong to the phylum Apicomplexa, which are known for their complex cellular structure and their ability to invade host cells. Besnoitia species are characterized by their unique life cycle, wherein they exist in both tissue cyst and tachyzoite forms.
The tissue cyst stage of Besnoitia refers to a dormant form of the parasite, where it resides within host tissues, such as the muscles. The cysts are typically spherical and contain multiple bradyzoites, which are slow-growing forms of the parasite. In this stage, the parasite is generally inactive and does not cause noticeable symptoms in the host.
On the other hand, the tachyzoite stage of Besnoitia is the active form of the parasite. Tachyzoites are motile and reproduce rapidly within host cells, causing tissue damage and inflammation. In livestock animals, infection can lead to a variety of clinical signs, including skin lesions, fever, weight loss, and reduced productivity, depending on the species involved.
Besnoitia species are typically transmitted through contact with infected animals or ingestion of contaminated food or water. The life cycle of these parasites involves both definitive hosts, which harbor the sexual stages of the parasite, and intermediate hosts, where asexual reproduction occurs. Control and prevention strategies for Besnoitia infections involve minimizing contact between susceptible hosts and infected animals, as well as implementing appropriate hygiene and treatment measures.
The word "Besnoitia" is derived from Latin. It is named after the French veterinary physician, Émile Brumpt, who first described the genus Besnoitia in 1913. Brumpt named the genus after his friend and colleague, Dr. Paul Besnoit, who was a professor of infectious diseases at the Veterinary School of Lyon, France.