title: New observations on first-generation merogony of Eimeria tuskegeensis in Sigmodon hispidus.
abstract: First-generation development of Eimeria tuskegeensis was evaluated using light microscopy. Sporozoite-shaped meronts containing a prominent refractile body were observed in small intestinal cells of an experimentally infected cotton rat at 24 h post inoculation (PI). Mature spherical or subspherical meronts containing crescent-shaped merozoites were observed at 36 h PI. Refractile bodies were observed in some of these merozoites. Sporozoite-shaped meronts that were isolated from host intestinal cells and inoculated onto human fetal lung cell cultures penetrated the cultured cells by 2 h PI. A mature, subspherical, first-generation meront containing seven merozoites was observed at 9 h PI in cell culture, indicating that sporozoite-shaped meronts isolated from the host retained their infectivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Wildlife Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Alabama 36849.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Gargus
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sundermann
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Blagburn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000469:parasitology*; D002460:Cell Line; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004539:Eimeria / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D008857:Microscopy, Interference; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*