Coccidium

/kɒkˈsɪdiəm/ noun

Definition

A tiny parasitic animal that lives inside the cells of the intestines of birds, mammals, and humans, causing disease.

Etymology

From Greek 'kokkos' (berry or grain) plus '-idium' (diminutive suffix), named for their round, berry-like appearance under the microscope.

Kelly Says

Coccidia are so small that they were among the first parasites people discovered after inventing the microscope, and they've been making animals sick for thousands of years without anyone knowing what was causing it.

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