1. A parasitic protozoan of the phylum Apicomplexa that infects the intestinal epithelium of vertebrates, especially birds and mammals, causing coccidiosis.
Usage: technical; biology; veterinary medicine

Examples

• The chicken farm suffered an outbreak of coccidium that affected the entire flock.
• Coccidium parasites are commonly found in poultry and can cause severe intestinal disease.
• Veterinarians often prescribe anticoccidial drugs to treat infections caused by coccidium.
• The microscopic coccidium reproduces in the intestinal cells of infected animals.
• Young chicks are particularly vulnerable to coccidium infections if sanitation is poor.