Question:

Which one of the following is a typical example of an euryxenous parasite?

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Greek roots are helpful:
"Eury-" means wide or broad (broad host range).
"Steno-" means narrow or restricted (narrow host range).
Trypanosoma evansi affects almost all domestic animals, making it the widest-ranging protozoan parasite.
  • Trypanosoma evansi
  • Theileria annulata
  • Eimeria tenella
  • Babesia bigemina
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Based on the host range and specificity, parasites are classified as:
- Euryxenous: Parasites that have a very wide host range, meaning they can infect many different species of animals.
- Stenoxenous: Parasites that have a narrow host range, infecting only one or a few closely related host species.
Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate each of the given options:
(A) Trypanosoma evansi: This haemoflagellate protozoan is the causative agent of "Surra."
It has an extremely wide range of hosts, infecting camels, horses, donkeys, cattle, buffaloes, goats, sheep, dogs, cats, and various wild mammals.
Because it successfully parasitizes hosts belonging to different orders and families, it is a classic example of an euryxenous parasite.
(B) Theileria annulata: This tick-borne protozoan causes bovine tropical theileriosis and is highly specific to cattle and water buffaloes. It is stenoxenous.
(C) Eimeria tenella: This coccidian species infects only chickens (Gallus gallus) and cannot complete its life cycle in other bird species. It is highly stenoxenous.
(D) Babesia bigemina: This protozoan causes bovine babesiosis (Texas fever) and is restricted to cattle and some related wild ruminants. It is stenoxenous.

Step 2: Final Answer:

Trypanosoma evansi possesses a highly diverse host range, qualifying it as an euryxenous parasite.
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