Endogenous stages of Choleoeimeria baltrocki (Daszak et Ball, 1991) n. comb. infecting the gall bladder of gold skink, Eumeces schneiderii Daudin, 1802 from Egypt

Abstract

AbstractExamination of 98 gold skink, Eumeces schneiderii Daudin, 1802 from Alexandria and Marsa-matroh Governorates, Egypt revealed oocysts of Choleoeimeria baltrocki (Daszak et Ball, 1991) n. comb. in the gall bladder and faeces. The prevalence of the infection was 40.8%. Sporulated oocysts were found in the faeces and the gall bladder contents. Sporulated oocysts were tetrasporocystic, cylindrical, reaching a mean of 38.7 (36–42) × 19.9 (17–25) μm with bilayered smooth and colourless wall. The dizoic sporocysts were subspherical and measuring 10.8 (9.5–13) × 9.3 (8–10.5) μm with a large globular sporocyst residuum. Sporocyst wall was bilayered joined by meridional suture. Sporozoites were crescent-shaped, blunt at one end and slightly tapered at the other. Endogenous stages (meronts, gamonts, gametes and young oocysts) were confined to the gall bladder epithelium and the infected cells were hypertrophied. Based on the morphological features of the exogenous stages and endogenous development of the present parasite, its generic affiliation was revised and placed into the genus Choleoeimeria.