772 



GLOBIDIUM 



and the other pointed, and, as in the spores of the Sarcosporidia, there is a 

 nucleus near the blunt end, while the other end is clear and hyaline. The 

 cytoplasm contains granules, one of which lies between the nucleus and 

 clear pointed end and is distinctly larger than the others. In cysts which 

 have not completed their development there occur spherical bodies with 

 numerous nuclei arranged over the surface (Fig. 331, 4). Portions of 

 cytoplasm, each with one of the nuclei, then grow out from the surface as 

 pointed buds, which gradually assume the character of spores. The latter 

 remain attached to the residue of cytoplasm till they break loose and are 

 scattered within the cyst (Fig. 331, 5, 6). 



The infection is very common in the 

 abomasum. In the majority of animals the 

 infection is small, but it is sometimes heavy. 

 As the cysts, when mature, rupture into the 

 stomach, in heavy infections haemorrhages 

 may be caused and serious symptoms follow. 

 Triffitt (1925) has found G. gilruthi in as 

 many as 92 per cent, of British sheep. 



According to Franco and Borges (1916), 

 infections of the skin with G. besnoiti may 

 occur, as also of the connective tissue and 

 fasciae of the muscles. In the latter case, 

 the muscles may appear studded over with 

 white nodules due to the presence of the 

 parasite, so that the flesh has to be con- 

 demned as unfit for food. 



Kupke (1923) has studied G. leuckarti of 

 the intestine of the horse. He finds that the 

 parasite is embedded in a very much hyper- 

 trophied cell, the nucleus of which can often 

 be detected lying at one side (Fig. 332). The 

 parasite itself is an ovoid body consisting of a thick capsule which, in serial 

 sections, can be seen to possess a definite pore at one end. The mass of 

 cytoplasm within the capsule becomes multinucleate and divides into 

 a number of separate bodies, each of which develops a number of nuclei. 

 Presumably, each body gives rise to a cluster of spores. 



The various species of Globidium agree fairly closely with that of the 

 sheep described above. Some of the forms have been described as siDecies 

 of Sarcocystis, to which they undoubtedly bear some resemblance. 

 Hobmaier (1922) has expressed it as his belief that the parasites are 

 really fungi, and not Protozoa. It seems probable that the organisms 

 are related to Rhinosporidium, described below (Fig. 336). 



Fig. 332. — Globidium leu- 

 ckarti FROM Intestinal 

 Mucosa of the Horse 

 ( X 600). (After Kupke, 

 1923.) 



Section showing opening at the 

 pole and still undivided con- 

 tents. 



