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Viruses in Protozoa

Viruses or virus like particles have been observed in several Protozoa, including Leishmania, Entamoeba histolytica, Acanthamoeba sp., Naegleria, Plasmodium vivax, P. berghei, Paramecium aurelia, Carchesilun polypinum and 19notocoma sabellarum.

The kappa particles responsible for the killer trait in Paramecium have been shown to be bacteria (Caedobacter taeniospiralis).

All strains of this bacterium are infected by one to many forms of bacteriophages. Killer paramecia release bacteria containing R-bodies which appear to contain a constituent related to phage coat protein.