LEUCOCYTOZOON Meaning and
Definition
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Leucocytozoon is a noun that refers to a genus of parasitic protozoans belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa and causes a blood disease known as leucocytozoonosis. Members of this genus are commonly found in birds, particularly in the order Passeriformes. Leucocytozoon parasites are transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes, specifically those belonging to the genus Culicoides and Simulium.
The life cycle of Leucocytozoon begins when the infected mosquito injects sporozoites, the infectious stage of the parasite, into the bloodstream of a bird during feeding. The sporozoites then invade the bird's erythrocytes, or red blood cells, where they undergo multiple replication cycles, resulting in the destruction of these cells. This can lead to anemia, reduced oxygen-carrying capacity, and subsequent damage to various organs and tissues.
Symptoms of leucocytozoonosis in birds may include weakness, lethargy, weight loss, and decreased feeding activity. In severe cases, the infection can be fatal, especially in young birds or those with compromised immune systems. Diagnosis is often confirmed through microscopic examination of blood samples, where the presence of the characteristic pear-shaped gametocytes can be observed.
Treatment for leucocytozoonosis involves the administration of antiprotozoal drugs to eliminate the parasite from the bird's bloodstream. Efforts to control the disease focus primarily on mosquito control measures, such as eliminating breeding sites or using insecticides. Preventive measures, such as mosquito nets or screens, can also be employed to reduce the risk of infection.
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A supposed protozoan parasite of the white bloodcells.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LEUCOCYTOZOON
- keucocytozoon
- peucocytozoon
- oeucocytozoon
- lwucocytozoon
- lsucocytozoon
- lducocytozoon
- lrucocytozoon
- l4ucocytozoon
- l3ucocytozoon
- leycocytozoon
- lehcocytozoon
- lejcocytozoon
- leicocytozoon
- le8cocytozoon
- le7cocytozoon
- leuxocytozoon
- leuvocytozoon
- leufocytozoon
- leudocytozoon
- leucocytooon
Etymology of LEUCOCYTOZOON
The word "leucocytozoon" is derived from Greek roots. "Leuco-" comes from the Greek word "leukos", meaning "white". "Cyto-" is derived from the Greek word "kytos", meaning "cell", and "-zoon" comes from the Greek word "zōon", meaning "animal" or "living being". So, "leucocytozoon" essentially means "white cell animal" or "white cell organism".
Similar spelling words for LEUCOCYTOZOON
