Caprine besnoitiosis in the southwest of Iran

Besnoitia sp. are protozoans that cause a disease affecting the skin, subcutis, blood vessels, mucus membranes, and other tissues. The toxoplasma gondii-like organisms multiply in endothelial, histocytic and other cells, producing characteristic large, thick-walled cysts filled with bradyzoites. In this study, infected animals originated from the southwest area of Iran. A total of 50 head goats with characteristic sclero-conjunctival cysts of Besnoitia sp. were isolated for further clinical observation. No infected animals other than goats with besnoitiosis were reported in this region. Microscopic examination revealed crescent-shaped organisms with a more pointed anterior than posterior end (banana-shaped morphology) confirming that cysts belong to the genus Besnoitia. Experimental transmission of Besnoitia sp. from these patients resulted in besnoitiosis in goats but not in rabbits and mice. Therefore, B. caprae was accepted as the cause of the infection. It seems that factors such as the presence of thorn remnants in the eyelids, pneumonic coughing goats and a range of flies and ticks could facilitate transmission of the disease. key words: besnoitiosis, Besnoitia caprae, goat, transmission