DF: A genus of protozoan parasites of the subclassCoccidia. Its species are parasitic in dogs,cattle, goats, and sheep, among others. N.caninum, a species that mainly infects dogs, isintracellular in neural and other cells of the body, multiplies by endodyogeny, has noparasitophorous vacuole, and has numerousrhoptries. It is known to cause lesions in manytissues, especially the brain and spinal cord aswell as abortion in the expectant mother.
