leucocytozoon

leu·co·cy·to·zo·on .lü-kō-.sīt-ə-'zō-.än, -ən n

1) cap a genus of sporozoans parasitic in birds see HAEMOPROTEIDAE

2) pl -zoa -'zō-ə any sporozoan of the genus Leucocytozoon

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Leu·co·cy·to·zo·on (loo″ko-si″to-zoґon) [leuco- + cyte + Gr. zōon animal] a genus of coccidian protozoa (suborder Haemosporina, order Eucoccidiida) parasitic in wild and domestic birds, sometimes causing fatal leucocytozoonosis. Merogony occurs in the hepatocytes and vascular endothelial cells of the host, producing merozoites that invade erythroblasts, erythrocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes and then develop into gametocytes. Species infecting domestic fowl include L. simonґdi (called also L. anґseris) in ducks and geese; L. smiґthi in turkeys; and L. caulleґryi, L. andrewґsi, and L. sabrazeґsi in chickens. All are transmitted by black flies (Simulium spp.) except L. caulleryi, which is transmitted by biting midges (Culicoides spp.). Written also Leukocytozoon.