ABSTRACT
Bioassay studies revealed that rodents, dog, cattle, pigs, camels, albino mice, and rabbit can act as paratenic hosts. Infection of cats with Cystoisospora felis induces reexcretion of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in the absence of any clinical signs. C. rivolta was pathogenic for newborn but not for weaned cats. Newborn cats fed 100,000 sporocysts or infected mice usually developed diarrhea 3–4 days post-inoculation. There are conflicting reports concerning the pathogenicity of C. felis infection in cats. In some reports, especially before prophylaxis for enteric viruses was available, severe diarrhea was observed in cats infected with C. felis. C. felis and C. rivolta–like oocysts have been reported in wild Felidae, including Indian jungle cat, lion, tiger, bobcat, and mountain lion. Several anticoccidial drugs have been used to treat Cystoisospora infections in cats. The number of oocysts excreted is reduced markedly by administration of toltrazuril to cats during the prepatent period.
