A
genus of protozoan parasites of the subclass coccidia. Its
species are
parasitic in dogs, cattle, goats, and sheep, among others. N. Caninum, a
species that mainly infects dogs, is
intracellular in
neural and another
cells of the body, multiplies by endodyogeny, has no parasitophorous vacuole, and has numerous rhoptries. It is known to
reason lesions in much tissues, especially the
brain and
spinal cord as
well as
abortion in the
expectant mother.