Isolation of Hammondia hammondi in Japan

Redescription of Hammondia hammondi and its differentiation from Toxoplasma gondii

Hammondia hammondi is a protozoan parasite that, until 1975, was misidentified as Toxoplasma gondii. Recently, the validity of H. hammondi has been questioned. In this article, the authors redescribe the parasite and its life cycle, provide accession numbers to its specimens deposited in a museum, and distinguish it structurally and biologically from T. gondii. Hammondia hammondi was found to be structurally, biologically, and molecularly different from T. gondii.

Intestinal protozoa infections

This article reviews important intestinal protozoal infections in cats. Among intestinal protozoa, Giardia and coccidia are the most important infections. Giardiasis is a common problem in catteries, especially where young kittens run free on the floor. Overcrowding and high humidity favour the survival and transmission of Giardia. Diagnosis is made by fecal examination by direct or concentration methods. Metronidazole is the drug of choice for treating giardiasis. Among the coccidial parasites, Isospora felis and Cryptosporidium sp. are the common infections. Virtually all cats become infected with Isospora felis. The pathogenicity of I. felis is controversial. Cryptosporidium parvum infection is a zoonosis. Cryptosporidium is transmitted by direct fecal-oral cycle. Cryptosporidial infections appear to be clinical in immunosuppressed cats. No drug has been found satisfactory for treatment of cryptosporidiosis.