Excystation of Isospora suis Biester, 1934 of swine

The in vitro excystation of sporozoites of Isospora suis Biester 1934 is described. Sporocysts of I. suis lack a Stieda body. Upon incubation in 0.75% sodium taurocholate or in 0.25% trypsin + 0.75% sodium taurocholate excystation solutions, sporozoites were released by separation of the sporocyst wall into four plates. Occasionally, the sporocyst wall did not separate completely but opened partially and released the sporozoite. At the time of excystation, sporozoites were short and broad but became elongated after 5 to 10 min in the excystation fluids. Elongate sporozoites measuring 11.7 x 3.8 micrometers, had a pointed anterior end and a nucleus located in the posterior half of the cell. Living sporozoites exhibited gliding movements, side-to-side flexion, and probed with their anterior ends. Incubation in 5.25% sodium hypochlorite removed the oocyst walls from most oocysts. Sporozoites did not excyst from sporocysts that were released during treatment with sodium hypochlorite.