set up infection in both definite and intermediate hosts, whereas only the oocysts of H. hammondi are infective to mice and cats get patent infection only on consuming tissues containing the bradyzoite cysts. Subsequent studies have clearly shown molecular differences between H. hammondi and T. gondii using the PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Primers can differentially diagnose the parasites even in a tissue sample with mixed infection of both parasites, which was not possible previously. As an experiment, oocysts were given to eight dogs while cysts were given to four dogs. Between the period of 16–101 days, all of the experimented dogs died and did not shed oocysts. The intestines of the dogs were given to cats which then shed oocysts after 8–10 days. The scientists found out that there were no lesions in any of the twelve dogs that were given the parasite. Dogs, along with the other rodents, are intermediate hosts and cats are the final host. That means cats are don't experience the symptoms of the disease. TA cat from Iowa was infected, along with a cat from Germany and three out of 1,604 cats from Hawaii. Over a thousand cats were killed by the Humane Society in Ohio and their feces were examined for intestinal issues. H. hammondi was discovered along with some other parasites. There was a wide range of the disease. In Australia, 1978, another scientist discovered feeding his laboratory-raised cats infected mice and rats. The result was the cats shed oocysts. In Japan, scientists discovered that feeding muscles from infected goats to cats lead to patent infections. The cat from Germany was fed roe deer muscles and shed oocysts, proving that there are many intermediate hosts and cats being the final host. References Further reading Bowman, Dwight D., et al. Feline Clinical Parasitology. John Wiley & Sons, 2008. External links Conoidasida Species described in 1975 Parasites of cats