Single and Low-level Oocyst Infections of Drug-resistant Field Strains of Eimeria tenella in Medicated Birds

Five out of ten birds infected with a single oocyst of strain Gt2 of Eimeria tenella and medicated with the recommended level of robenidine were found positive in the first experiment and four in the second in comparison with seven and six respectively in nonmedicated birds. Six birds out of ten were found positive in the two groups of similarly medicated birds infected with two or four oocysts each. Although single oocyst infections of strain Lilly 155 were unsuccessful, six out of ten birds were found positive in birds infected with ten oocysts each.All single and low-level oocyst infections were accomplished with oocysts previously treated with beta-glucuronidase and broken into sporocysts prior to infections.The overall results suggested that when a coccidium became resistant to an anticoccidial drug, only one or a few occysts were needed to start an infection if the drug was continued. The results also showed that, perhaps, successful single or low-level oocyst infections can also be used as a criterion for demonstrating drug resistance in coccidia.     

鸡和缓艾美耳球虫早熟虫株选育及其生物学特性研究

按照Jeffers1975年建立的艾美耳属球虫早熟虫株选育方法,对鸡和缓艾美耳球虫巴彦淖尔株（SY-MB株）进行了单卵囊分离、扩增和早熟虫株的选育。经SPF鸡15代传代之后,分离株的潜隐期由96 h缩短至77 h,缩短了19 h。按索勋等1998年建立的方法对选育出的和缓艾美耳球虫巴彦淖尔早熟株（SY-mb77株）进行10代非选择性传代,证明该早熟虫株的潜隐期、卵囊产量、免疫原性和致病性均具备早熟虫株特性,并能有效抵抗强毒虫株的攻击。     

Efficacy of diclazuril in the prevention and cure of intestinal and hepatic coccidiosis in rabbits

The efficacy of diclazuril against intestinal and hepatic coccidiosis was studied in artificially infected rabbits. Prophylaxis against intestinal coccidiosis was evaluated using a mixed infection of Eimeria intestinalis, Eimeria magna and Eimeria perforans. Continuous medication in the feed at 1 p.p.m. was 100% effective in reducing oocyst output and faecal scores, and weight gain and feed efficiency were normal. Hepatic coccidiosis induced by Eimeria stiedai was prevented at 0.5 and 1 p.p.m. as shown by negative oocyst counts, normal liver weight, absence of liver lesions, and normal body-weight gain and feed efficiency. Medication at 1 p.p.m. for 7 consecutive days during the prepatent phase of hepatic coccidiosis resulted in large reductions in oocyst counts and lesion scores with a normal liver weight and growth performance. Diclazuril at 1 p.p.m. in the feed prevented both intestinal and hepatic coccidiosis in rabbits and can be advocated for safe mass medication.     

鸡柔嫩艾美耳球虫广西株的分离与鉴定

目的建立一种简单、实用的单卵囊分离方法，并对一株广西柔嫩艾美耳球虫进行分离。方法采用电泳制胶槽来制作琼脂块进行球虫单卵囊的分离，单卵囊实验感染9只1日龄雏鸡，感染后收集粪便，用饱和盐水漂浮法进行卵囊检测。纯种卵囊经口感染10只1日龄雏鸡，观测卵囊寄生部位、最短孢子化时间，以及其潜在期和排卵高峰期。结果2只雏鸡粪便中检出卵囊，单卵囊感染成功率为22％。通过对其中一株球虫的研究，根据其卵囊的形状、大小、寄生部位、潜在期、卵囊最短孢子化时间、排卵高峰期等生物特征，鉴定该株球虫为柔嫩艾美耳球虫（Eimeria tenella）。结论本研究成功建立一种单卵囊分离技术，可作为球虫单卵囊分离的常规方法。     

鸡巨型艾美耳球虫单卵囊分离及雏鸡扩增试验

采用饱和食盐水漂浮法收集就诊病死球虫阳性鸡小肠中段内容物中的球虫卵囊,恒温培养至孢子化后,用2%琼脂薄板进行球虫单卵囊分离,分别感染7只5日龄雏鸡,对据形态学鉴定为巨型艾美耳球虫的分离株进行2代单卵囊分离和雏鸡感染,取其后代以每只1.0×10⁴个卵囊感染10只10日龄雏鸡进行卵囊扩增,获得大量纯种巨型艾美耳球虫卵囊。结果表明,刀片切割琼脂薄板单卵囊分离法操作简便,单卵囊感染成功率较高,准确率达100%,适用于纯种卵囊的分离与扩增。     

Coccidial infections in housed lambs: oocyst excretion, antibody levels and genetic influences on the infection

Faecal Eimeria oocyst excretion, body weights, humoral antibodies against E. ovinoidalis sporozoite antigen and related heritabilities were determined in housed Merinoland sheep lambs throughout a period of 100 days after birth in Germany. Altogether 10-11 Eimeria spp. were found. Cumulative incidences of E. ovinoidalis and E. weybridgensis/crandallis increased rapidly resulting in almost 100% incidence in 8 weeks old lambs. In the other species, the cumulative incidence increased more continuously. Except for E. granulosa oocysts of all species had been excreted at last once until day 30. By far the highest oocyst counts (OpG) were observed with E. ovinoidalis, followed by E. weybridgensis/crandallis. High counts were limited to the period of 5-8 weeks after birth. In the other Eimeria species oocyst counts persisted at comparatively low levels until the end of the observation period although their proportion of the total counts increased with age of the lambs. Time courses of oocyst excretion suggest an early onset of effective immunity to the major Eimeria spp., which differed for the minor species. Mean and maximum oocyst counts and body weights of the lambs were inversely correlated suggesting negative effects of the infection on the lamb's performance. High mean antibody levels on day 7 after birth dropped until day 40 and increased subsequently again. There were no indications that maternal antibodies were protective. Antibody levels on day 40 after birth were positively correlated with oocyst counts in the faeces whereas those determined on day 80 were independent of infection parameters. Heritabilities of log(10)OpG were not significantly different from 0 up to an age of 60 days. Later estimated values were between 0.54 and 0.79 suggesting that immune protective effects rather than innate effects determining disease susceptibility are under genetic influence.     

球痢清等药物对人工感染兔肠球虫病的治疗比较试验

４８只３０日龄大耳白杂种兔，试验接种感染兔肠球虫的５种混合孢子化卵囊，将球痢清Ｉ、球痢清Ⅱ、莫能霉素和氯苯胍分别拌在饲料中饲喂，以比较其抗兔肠球虫的效果。通过临床观察，分析克粪便卵囊数的变化，记录增重、计算饲料转化率和对每组扑杀兔作病理组织学检查，结果表明：球痢清抑制卵囊产生、减轻肠道病变、增重及饲料转化率的效果明显，与莫能霉素相近，并显著优于氯苯胍。氯苯胍效果较差，几乎与接种不给药组相同。无显著性差异。因此说明氯苯胍不宜单一继续使用。应引入新的高效抗球虫药，并指导正确使用抗球虫药物。     

Efficacy of amprolium for the treatment of pathogenic Eimeria species in Boer goat kids

This study evaluated the efficacy of two different doses of amprolium in goats heavily infected with pathogenic Eimeria species. Forty Boer goat kids ranging from 3 to 5 months of age with naturally occurring coccidiosis were randomly divided into 2 groups and treated orally with amprolium at doses of 10mg/kg daily for 5 days (n=20) or 50mg/kg daily for 5 days (n=20). The Eimeria oocyst per gram concentrations were significantly reduced on day 7 in the kids that received amprolium at 50mg/kg, however oocyst concentrations were not significantly reduced in goats that received the 10mg/kg dose. Out of 100 Eimeria oocysts identified from a pooled fecal sample, E. christenseni was the most frequently identified (52%) coccidial species present. The results of this trial indicate that amprolium can be an effective treatment for pathogenic Eimeria species in goat kids, however higher and extralabel doses (50mg/kg) should be used.     

Comparison of Eimeria species distribution and salinomycin resistance in commercial broiler operations utilizing different coccidiosis control strategies

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the species composition and salinomycin sensitivity of Eimeria oocysts isolated from commercial broiler farms that differed by means of coccidiosis control (anticoccidial drugs [ACD] vs. live oocyst vaccines [VAC]). A comparison of Eimeria species composition and salinomycin sensitivity was also made before and after a producer switched from salinomycin to live oocyst vaccines. In general, no significant difference was observed in the concentration of Eimeria spp. oocysts in litter from VAC-utilizing farms compared to litter from ACD-utilizing farms. Application of PCR-based methods to detect coccidia found that Eimeria species distribution in litter from VAC operations more closely resembled the species composition in the live oocyst vaccines. Drug sensitivity testing found that Eimeria oocysts from VAC operations displayed greater salinomycin sensitivity as measured by weight gain and feed conversion efficiency compared to oocysts from ACD farms. These findings provide additional evidence for the usefulness of live oocyst vaccines to restore ionophore sensitivity in poultry operations that contain an ionophore-resistant population of Eimeria spp. oocysts.     

Eimeria brunetti and Eimeria necatrix in chickens of Argentina and confirmation of seven species of Eimeria

Ten poultry farms (broiler breeder pullets, layer pullets, and broilers) in the provinces of Entre Rios and Buenos Aires in Argentina were examined for presence of Eimeria spp. Litter samples obtained from flocks 7-11 wk old were taken to the laboratory for oocyst counting and sporulation, then concentrated for inoculation into coccidia-free chickens. Species were identified by prepatent period, oocyst size, location and appearance of lesions in the intestine, microscopic examination of mucosal smears, and histology (to confirm Eimeria brunetti). On this basis, Eimeria praecox was found in two samples, Eimeria mitis in two, Eimeria acervulina in nine, Eimeria maxima in seven, Eimeria necatrix in three, Eimeria tenella in seven, and E. brunetti in four. These results confirm the presence of all seven recognized species of Eimeria in chickens in the Republic of Argentina.     

布氏艾美耳球虫南宁株的分离及鉴定

本试验从南宁市郊区某鸡场感染球虫病的病鸡粪便中收集到混合卵囊,采用改良过的琼脂单卵囊分离法从中分离纯化出2个球虫虫株,并对其中的1个球虫分离株进行了鉴定,鉴定结果为:该株球虫卵囊呈椭圆形或卵圆形,卵囊平均大小为(22.51±0.4790)μm×(15.94±0.5599)μm,平均卵型指数为1.41212±0.06714,裂殖体平均大小为31.33 μm×27.46 μm,潜在期为120 h 50 min,排卵高峰期为感染后第6天,最短孢子化时间为18 h 50 min,寄生部位为小肠中、下段,属中等毒力的球虫虫株。通过将这些测定和观察到的指标与各类文献中所记载的各种鸡艾美耳球虫的特征进行了对比,经过综合分析后,将该分离株球虫鉴定为布氏艾美耳球虫,并且将它命名为布氏艾美耳球虫南宁株,记为Eimeria.brunetti-GXNN。对该虫株的成功分离鉴定,为进一步了解本地球虫虫株的生物学特性,开展鸡球虫病的免疫预防奠定了基础。     

Oocyst Counts in Crossbred Ewes under Tree-Crop Plantation in the Forest Zone of Ghana

In this paper, the Eimeria oocyst output of two groups, pregnant ewes (group 1) and non-pregnant controls (group 2), which were followed from September 1993 to August 1994, is described. In both groups of animals the level of oocyst output was high during the minor rainy season. However, during the periparturient period the pregnant ewes showed the higher oocyst output. The oocyst output in both groups fell to similar levels after weaning of the lambs in March 1994. The species of Eimeria identified in order of dominance were Eimeria parva, E. pallida, E. faurei, E. ahsata, E. ovina, E. intricata, E. granulosa and E. ninakohlyakimovae. There were no differences in the species composition of oocysts in both groups of animals.     

Efficacy of decoquinate against drug sensitive laboratory strains of Eimeria tenella and field isolates of Eimeria spp. in broiler chickens in China

The efficacy of decoquinate against Eimeria infections in broiler chickens was evaluated using two drug sensitive laboratory strains of Eimeria tenella and 20 field isolates of Eimeria spp. collected from farms in China where various anticoccidials (including maduramicin) had been used. Decoquinate (20-40 ppm in feed) and maduramicin (5 ppm) were efficacious against E. tenella laboratory strains, but decoquinate more so than maduramicin. Body weight gains of E. tenella infected chickens were significantly improved, and caecal lesions were prevented, by feeding either decoquinate or maduramicin. Decoquinate also prevented oocyst production, but maduramicin did not. Most (18/20) Eimeria field isolates were resistant to maduramicin, judged by oocyst production; decoquinate at > or =20 ppm completely controlled all 20 field isolates. Decoquinate has potential value as a broiler anticoccidial in China and other countries where it has not been previously used.     

Prevalence of Eimeria leuckarti (Flesch, 1883) and intensity of faecal oocyst output in a herd of horses during a summer grazing season

The prevalence of Eimeria leuckarti infection and the intensity of faecal oocyst output were determined in a herd of 14 mares and their foals in northwest Germany using a sedimentation technique at weekly intervals during a summer grazing season from May to September. None of the mares, but all foals shed oocysts on at least one occasion. The patent periods lasted up to 16 weeks. The mean intensity of oocyst output (0.1-33 o.p.g.) was very low. No clinical signs of gastrointestinal disorder were noticed in any of the foals during this study.     

Effects of clopidol on sporulation and infectivity of Eimeria tenella oocysts

Feed additive anticoccidials currently used in Japan were examined for possible effects on oocyst sporulation of Eimeria tenella. Monensin, salinomycin, lasalocid, amprolium plus ethpabate, amporolium plus ethopabate plus sulfaquinoxaline, clopidol, or nicarbazin were given to chickens continuously via the feed at the recommended use level or one-half of that level. Oocysts discharged in feces 7-8 days post inoculation (PI) were collected and aerated for sporulation. Low sporulation rate was noted, when clopidol at 62.5 mg kg-1 was given from 4 to 7 days PI. These oocysts were as infective as oocysts from controls, based on weight gain, feed efficiency, gross lesion score of cecae, and oocyst count 7 days PI. The results of the study indicated that the second schizogony and gametogony are vulnerable to clopidol, as evidenced by oocyst sporulation, but infectivity of these sporulated oocysts was not affected.     

Immunization of chukar partridges against coccidia (Eimeria kofoidi and Eimeria legionensis) with low doses of live oocysts

Experiments were conducted to determine whether chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) chicks would develop protective immunity after inoculation with coccidia. Young chukar chicks in battery cages inoculated with 100 or more oocysts of Eimeria kofoidi or Eimeria legionensis had significant protection at challenge 4 wk later, as measured by greatly reduced oocyst shedding and improved weight gain as compared with unvaccinated, challenged controls. However, when birds were housed in litter pens and vaccinated by various regimens (including two species of chukar coccidia at 100/dose), coccidiosis rapidly spread through all treatments and caused significant mortality. Vaccination with Coccivac-T or with 100 oocysts of Eimeria dispersa did not prevent mortality resulting from accidental contamination, and feed treatment with a Lactobacillus competitive-exclusion product had no benefit. Most if not all of the mortality was from E. kofoidi. This study illustrated the natural fecundity of chukar coccidia in a floor-pen environment where multiplication rate and reinfection combine to produce clinical disease from a small original exposure. Further, these results cast doubt on the potential use of low doses of live oocysts as a vaccine in the chukar partridge.     

Prevalence of coccidia in pigs in Zimbabwe.

Faecal specimens from 162 piglets, aged 1-5 months, from four farms around Harare were examined for coccidia during 1989-1990. Oocyst count per gram (OPG) of faeces was determined by the McMaster technique. Identification of Eimeria species was done after sporulation of oocysts in 2.5% potassium dichromate solution. Measurements of sporulated oocysts were taken from 20 positive cases by using calibrated eye micrometer. Overall incidence was 25.3% (41/162) varying between 15 and 39.5% at different farms. The OPG ranged between 150 and 11,300. Eight species of Eimeria were identified, namely, Eimeria debliecki, Eimeria perminuta, Eimeria suis, Eimeria polita, Eimeria neodebliecki, Eimeria porci, Eimeria scabra and Eimeria spinosa, shown in the order of their prevalence. Eimeria debliecki was the most predominant, showing highest oocyst counts in 45% of 20 pigs, followed by E. suis (25%) and E. polita (20%). On two occasions only one Eimeria sp. was found while in the other 18 (90%) cases, mixed infections of two to six species were recorded.     

Effect of lasalocid on the development of Eimeria tenella in chicken embryos

Sporozoites of Eimeria tenella were treated with lasalocid in vitro and their viability tested by inoculating them into the allantoic cavity of 11-day-old chicken embryos. Concentrations of 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 micrograms ml-1 reduced sporozoite viability, as judged by oocyst production. Injections into the embryos of 5, 50 or 500 micrograms of lasalocid 92-93 h after infection also reduced oocyst production, indicating activity against the later stages of the life cycle.     

Effect of monensin on experimental infections of Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae in lambs.

Two nearly identical experiments were conducted to determine the effects of the coccidiostatic compound monensin on Polled Dorset lambs experimentally infected with oocysts of Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae. Prophylactic medication at a dose level of 1 mg/kg of body weight was started 2 days before inoculation and prevented diarrhea and reduced oocyst production. Therapeutic medication at a dose level of 2 mg/kg, started with the appearance of signs of infection, reduced oocyst production below that of nonmedicated controls but did not eliminate diarrhea. Weight gains of medicated lambs were less than those of noninoculated, nonmedicated controls in both experiments. Apparently monensin, at the dose levels used, reduced oocyst production but also prevented weight gains as high as those in inoculated nonmedicated controls.