Recovery and identification of Besnoitia and other coccidia from cat faeces around Kabete in Kenya

Abstract

Faecal samples were collected from 50 cats around Kabete, Kenya, and were examined for coccidian oocysts. Oocysts of Besnoitia wallacei (in 2) were recovered for the first time in Kenya. Oocysts of Isospora felis (in 33), I. rivolta (in 22), Sarcocystis muris (in 2) and Toxoplasma gondii (in 6) were also recovered. The Besnoitia oocysts were spherical to ellipsoidal in shape and measured 16.6 by 14.5 µm in diameter. 32 mice, 12 rats and 2 rabbits inoculated orally with Besnoitia oocysts developed characteristic tissue cysts. Two cats fed on infected mice and rat carcasses shed Besnoitia oocysts in faeces from day 12 to day 30 pi.