Natural Besnoitia sp. infection in domestic rabbits from Argentina

Besnoitia sp. are apicomplexan coccidian parasites affecting several species of mammals and cold-blooded animals in several countries. Besnoitia sp. tissue cysts were seen in several tissues of five rabbits from a rabbit breeder in La Plata, Argentina. Bradyzoites released from macroscopic tissue cysts were inoculated onto bovine monocytes, and into interferon gamma gene knockout (KO) mice. Besnoitia sp. tachyzoites were seen in the peritoneal exudate of KO mice on day 10 pi and these tachyzoites were infective to other KO mice. Tachyzoites grown in cell culture were infective to gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). This is the first report of Besnoitia sp. infection in any host in Argentina.