Isosporiasis pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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• At time of excretion, the immature oocyst contains usually one sporoblast (more rarely two) 1.
• In further maturation after excretion, the sporoblast divides in two (the oocyst now contains two sporoblasts); the sporoblasts secrete a cyst wall, thus becoming sporocysts; and the sporocysts divide twice to produce four sporozoites each 2.
• Infection occurs by ingestion of sporocysts-containing oocysts: the sporocysts excyst in the small intestine and release their sporozoites, which invade the epithelial cells and initiate schizogony 3.
• Upon rupture of the schizonts, the merozoites are released, invade new epithelial cells, and continue the cycle of asexual multiplication 4. Trophozoites develop into schizonts which contain multiple merozoites.
• After a minimum of one week, the sexual stage begins with the development of male and female gametocytes 5.
• Fertilization results in the development of oocysts that are excreted in the stool 1. Isospora belli infects both humans and animals.

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