Plural of coccidium; parasitic protozoans that live inside the intestinal cells of animals and birds, causing disease.
From coccus (round shape) + -idia (Greek diminutive suffix); named for their round appearance under early microscopes.
Coccidia are a major problem for poultry farmers and pet owners—chicks and puppies can die from the diarrhea they cause, which is why coops must be kept obsessively clean.
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