Sarcocystis tenella is a parasitic protozoan that infects various animals. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). "Sar-koh-sis-tis" is pronounced /sɑrkəsɪstɪs/ and "ten-ella" is pronounced /tɛnɛlə/. The "s" in "sarcocystis" is pronounced as a voiceless "s" sound, while the "c" is pronounced as a voiced "s" sound. The stress is on the second syllable of "sarcocystis" and the first syllable of "tenella." The correct spelling and pronunciation of scientific terms are essential for effective communication in the academic and scientific communities.
Sarcocystis tenella is a species of protozoan parasite that belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa. It is a parasite that infects various animal species, particularly mammals and birds, including humans. S. tenella is known for its ability to form cysts in muscle tissue, hence its name "sarcocystis," which means "flesh cyst."
The life cycle of S. tenella involves two hosts: a definitive host and an intermediate host. In the definitive host, which is often a carnivorous animal like a wild cat or dog, the parasite undergoes sexual reproduction and releases oocysts in their feces. These oocysts are then consumed by the intermediate host, such as a rodent or bird, through contaminated food or water. Inside the intermediate host, the oocysts release sporozoites that invade the host's cells and form cysts. These cysts primarily develop and mature in the skeletal muscle tissue.
The infection caused by S. tenella is known as sarcocystosis. In humans, sarcocystosis is typically asymptomatic or causes mild gastrointestinal symptoms. However, in some cases, especially among immunocompromised individuals, the infection may lead to more severe symptoms and complications.
Diagnosis of S. tenella infection can be made through microscopic examination of cysts or identification of the parasite's DNA in biopsy specimens. Treatment options for sarcocystosis include supportive care and, if necessary, anti-parasitic drugs.
Overall, Sarcocystis tenella is a protozoan parasite capable of causing sarcocystosis in various animals, including humans, by forming cysts primarily in the muscle tissue.
A species in the sheep, producing cysts of large size in the muscles.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Sarcocystis" is derived from the Greek words "sarkos", meaning "flesh", and "kystis", meaning "bladder" or "cyst". This name reflects the fact that the parasite Sarcocystis forms cyst-like structures within the tissues of its host animals.
The term "tenella" is derived from the Latin word "tenellus", meaning "tender" or "delicate". It is used to describe this particular species as being small and relatively delicate compared to other species within the genus Sarcocystis.