Evolution of coccidial infection in commercial and domestic rabbits between 1982 and 1986

Caecal samples were collected from 751 domestic rabbits of various origin and from 1229 diarrhoeic rabbits issued from 61 commercial rabbitries. They were screened for coccidiosis. In 1982, the year of introduction of the anticoccidial robenidine in commercial rabbit feeds, a dramatic decrease of coccidial infection ratio was detected in commercial rabbitries: only 6% of samples contained greater than 100 oocysts per gram against 85% in 1979, when sulphaquinoxaline/pyrimethamine was used. Only Eimeria magna, E. media and E. perforans were detected, whereas the highly pathogenic species E. flavescens and E. intestinalis had disappeared from commercial units. After 4 years of continuous use of robenidine, infection ratio rose progressively, although still far below the 1979 levels. Most of the other species reappeared, but only in very low proportions (1-4% of samples). The percentage occurrence of E. magna, E. media and E. perforans on the contrary rose progressively to 25, 26 and 34%, respectively, suggesting drug resistance. In domestic rabbitries, the incidence of coccidial infection was markedly higher and all nine species of Eimeria were detected. Eimeria magna, E. media and E. perforans were very common, E. flavescens, E. intestinalis, E. piriformis and E. stiedai were less common, whereas E. irresidua and E. coecicola were relatively rare. Notwithstanding the lower activity of robenidine against E. stiedai, no rise of hepatic coccidiosis became evident.     

Efficacy of toltrazuril against intestinal and hepatic coccidiosis in rabbits

The anticoccidial effect of toltrazuril (Bay Vi 9142) against Eimeria flavescens, E. intestinalis, E. magna, E. perforans and E. stiedai was tested in experimentally-infected rabbits. Continuous administration of 10-15 p.p.m. of the drug in the drinking water was highly effective in reducing oocyst output of all five species and in preventing clinical signs and macroscopic lesions. Sporulation of excreted oocysts was not affected. After 5 weeks of medication, no negative influence was noted on zootechnic performance of growing healthy rabbits. Medication of rabbits with 25 p.p.m. only during schizogony or gamogony (2 days of treatment, repeated after 5 days) quickly reduced clinical signs and oocyst output. When administered during late schizogony or gamogony, toltrazuril allowed development of immunity against reinfection with homologous species.     

Efficacy of diclazuril in the control of intestinal coccidiosis in rabbits

The anticoccidial efficacy of diclazuril was studied in rabbits artificially infected with Eimeria flavescens, Eimeria intestinalis, Eimeria magna and Eimeria perforans. Continuous administration at 1 and 2 ppm in pelleted feed proved to be highly efficacious in controlling oocyst output and faecal scores. The weight gain was comparable and the feed efficiency slightly improved compared with the non-infected, non-medicated controls, and clinical signs were fully prevented. Medication of rabbits at 0.5 ppm also provided a significant improvement in all parameters compared with the infected, non-medicated controls. In order to obtain 100% effectiveness in the control of intestinal coccidiosis in rabbits, continuous medication at 1 ppm is recommended.     

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.     

四种兔艾美耳球虫卵囊产量的比较

分别用4种兔艾美耳球虫经口接种45日龄无球虫感染兔,接种剂量为1×104个卵囊/兔。感染后4d～20d,以麦克马斯特氏法计数每天排出的卵囊。结果表明,肠艾美耳球虫排卵量最多,为365.76×106个,中型艾美耳球虫为317.26×106个、黄艾美耳球虫为304.36×106个,大型艾美耳球虫排卵量最少,为200.12×106个。大型艾美耳球虫在感染后第6.5天有卵囊排出,第10.5天达到高峰(66.50×106个/只),占总量的33.23%;肠艾美耳球虫在感染后第9天有卵囊排出,第13天达到高峰(138.40×106个/只),占总量的37.83%;黄艾美耳球虫在感染后第9天有卵囊排出,第11天达到高峰(102.80×106个/只),占总量的33.78%;中型艾美耳球虫在感染后第4.5天有卵囊排出,第6.5天达到高峰(167.8×106个/只),占总量的52.89%。     

新疆部分地区兔球虫种类调查研究

对新疆部分地区家兔球虫的种类进行调查,发现兔的艾美耳球虫检出率为100%,并检出10种兔艾美耳球虫,即斯氏艾美耳球虫(Eimera stiedai)、大型艾美耳球虫(E.magna)、无残艾美耳球虫(E.irrestidua)、梨型艾美耳球虫(E.piriformis)、小型艾美耳球虫(Eexigua)、肠艾美耳球虫(E.intestinalis)、盲肠艾美耳球虫(E.coecicola)、穿孔艾美耳球虫((E.perforans)、野兔艾美耳球虫(E.leporis)、黄艾美耳球虫(E.flsvescens),其中穿孔艾美耳球虫、小型艾美耳球虫和斯氏艾美耳球虫为优势虫种.     

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。     

Effect of subcutaneously administered diclazuril on the output of Eimeria species oocysts by experimentally infected rabbits

The effect of subcutaneously injected diclazuril on the output of Eimeria species oocysts was studied in experimentally infected rabbits. Diclazuril was administered either prophylactically at 0.5, 1 or 2 mg/kg bodyweight two days before each rabbit was inoculated with 20,000 oocysts of a mixed-species field isolate of Eimeria or therapeutically at 1, 2 or 4 mg/kg bodyweight five days after they were inoculated. The prophylactic treatments significantly reduced (P<0.05) the output of oocysts in faeces and the numbers in the rabbits' livers at all doses. The therapeutic treatment at 4 mg/kg also caused a significant reduction (P<0.05) in oocyst shedding, but the lower doses resulted in only a moderate reduction. The shedding of the pathogenic species Eimeria stiedae, Eimeria magna, Eimeria irresidua, Eimeria flavescens, Eimeria piriformis and Eimeria intestinalis was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in all the treated groups. The burden of oocysts in the livers of the therapeutic groups (4000 to 9000) were significantly lower (P<0.05) than in the inoculated but untreated control group (23,000), but higher than in the prophylactic groups (around 1000).     

安徽省肥西县家兔球虫感染情况初步调查

对安徽省肥西县不同地区的家兔球虫种类及感染情况进行调查,结果表明该地区家兔球虫感染率为100%,并均为混合感染。鉴定出9种艾美耳球虫(Eimeria),即大型艾美耳球虫(E.magna)、盲肠艾美耳球虫(E.coecicola)、穿孔艾美耳球虫(E.perforans)、斯氏艾美耳球虫(E.stiedai)、小型艾美耳球虫(E.exigua)、中型艾美耳球虫(E.media)、松林艾美耳球虫(E.matsubayashii)、肠艾美耳球虫(E.intestinalis)和那格浦耳艾美耳球虫(E.nagpurensis),并对家兔球虫的感染强度和优势虫种等进行了记述。     

基于ITS-1序列的5种兔球虫系统进化分析

利用核糖体DNA内转录间隔区1(ITS-1)序列对兔艾美耳球虫进行系统进化分析,并探讨生物学和形态学特征在兔球虫进化中的意义。单卵囊分离大型、黄、肠、中型及穿孔艾美耳球虫卵囊,接种无球虫兔获得纯种卵囊,CTAB法提取卵囊基因组DNA,PCR扩增ITS-1区后克隆、测序。将测序结果与GenBank发布的兔球虫ITS-1序列进行比对和遗传距离分析,绘制系统进化树。结果显示:大型、黄、肠、中型及穿孔艾美耳球虫河北株ITS-1序列分别长320、330、351、336和341bp。5种兔球虫河北株与GenBank中同种兔球虫ITS-1序列相似性分别为96.9%、97.3%、96.9%、99.1%和99.4%。兔球虫形成单系群,该单系群分为2个姐妹谱,与卵囊残体有无相对应,其它形态学和生物学特征与系统进化无相关性。研究结果表明外残体的有无可作为兔球虫进化分类的特征。     

The efficacy of anticoccidial products against Eimeria spp. in northern bobwhites

To determine whether chemotherapeutic compounds available for use in domestic poultry are effective at controlling coccidiosis in northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus), we tested 13 chemotherapeutic anticoccidials including amprolium (250 parts per million [ppm]), clopidol (125 ppm), diclazuril (1 ppm and 2 ppm), decoquinate (30 ppm), lasalocid (120 ppm), monensin (90 ppm), narasin/nicarbazin (36/36 ppm), robenidine (33 ppm), roxarsone (50 ppm), sulfadimethoxine/ ormetoprin (125/75 ppm), salinomycin (60 ppm), semduramicin (25 ppm), and zoalene (125 ppm and 150 ppm). Three tests were conducted using two replicates of 10 birds each: Infected, unmedicated controls and medicated birds were challenged with 1 x 10(6) oocysts of a field isolate consisting primarily of Eimeria lettyae. Subsequently, we tested clopidol, lasalocid, salinomycin, diclazuril (1 ppm), and monensin against mixed-species field isolates containing E. lettyae, E. dispersa, E. colini, or all. Weight gain, gross intestinal lesions, severity of diarrhea, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) 6 days postinfection were recorded. Lesion score, as previously reported, was unreliable as a measure of severity of infection in comparison with weight gain, fecal scores, and FCR. Excellent to good efficacy was found in clopidol, decoquinate, diclazuril (1 ppm and 2 ppm), and in lasalocid, narasin and nicarbazin, robenidine, sulfadimethoxine/ormetoprin, and zoalene (150 ppm). Marginal protection was found using monensin, salinomycin, semduramicin, or a roxarsone/semduramicin combination. Amprolium, roxarsone, and zoalene (125 ppm) were ineffective at controlling coccidia. Two of the six isolates tested against diclazuril 1 ppm and clopidol demonstrated a high degree of resistance, but none of the six isolates was resistant to lasalocid. Four of the eight isolates showed mild to moderate, and moderate to high, resistance against monensin and salinomycin, respectively. These findings indicate that several available compounds are effective at controlling coccidiosis in bobwhites.     

Efficacy of maduramicin ammonium against coccidiosis in turkeys under laboratory and floor-pen conditions

Experimental infections with field isolates of Eimeria meleagrimitis, E. adenoeides, E. gallopavonis, and E. dispersa in turkey poults were used to test the efficacy of maduramicin ammonium at 2.5-10 ppm in laboratory experiments. Infection with single or mixed species of coccidia reduced the weight gain of unmedicated infected controls and caused 18.1-65% mortality in two experiments. Maduramicin ammonium given at 5-7 ppm prevented mortality, significantly reduced droppings scores and oocyst passage, and improved weight gain to near that of the unmedicated uninfected controls. Maduramicin ammonium was tested at 4-7 ppm in a floor-pen trial lasting 10 weeks. Mortality from coccidiosis averaged 11.9% in unmedicated controls, compared with 0.6% with 4 ppm of maduramicin or no mortality with 5-7 ppm. Average weight gain and feed conversion at 10 weeks were significantly improved over unmedicated infected controls when maduramicin ammonium was given at 5-7 ppm. These results suggest that maduramicin ammonium is highly efficacious against field isolates of Eimeria in turkeys, especially within the range of 5-7 ppm in the feed.     

Sensitivity of field isolates of Eimeria tenella to anticoccidial drugs in the chicken

Thirty isolates of Eimeria tenella obtained from broiler and breeder farms were examined for their sensitivity to anticoccidial drugs. All were sensitive to robenidine, 28 were sensitive to methyl benzoquate, 25 to clopidol and 21 to nicarbazin. Most isolates were resistant or partly resistant to amprolium and dinitolmide.     

Identification of Cross-Resistance and Multiple Resistance in Eimeria tenella Field Isolates to Commonly Used Anticoccidials in Pakistan

A battery trial was conducted to evaluate the drug sensitivity in Eimeria tenella field isolates against the commonly used anticoccidials salinomycin (60 ppm), maduramicin (5 ppm), and clopidol (125 ppm) in broiler chicks. These anticoccidials were mixed in feed at d 12 of age, and inoculation was given on d 14 of age. Drug sensitivity was determined by using the global index, which is composed of percentage weight gain, FCR, lesion score, oocyst index, and mortality percentage. In the present study, all the E. tenella isolates showed partial resistance against salinomycin, whereas varying degrees of sensitivity were observed against maduramicin and clopidol.     

Efficacy of ionophorous anticoccidial drugs against coccidia in farm-reared pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) from Illinois

Litter samples obtained from a ring-necked pheasant propagation farm in Illinois contained coccidia: 57.5% of the oocysts were Eimeria duodenalis, 24.9% were E. tetartooimia, 8.8% were E. phasiani, and 8.8% were E. pacifica. Ionophorous anticoccidial drugs were tested for efficacy against the pheasant coccidia. All three drugs reduced oocyst production and prevented mortality in young pheasants; unmedicated infected controls had a 40% mortality rate. Monensin at 120 ppm in the feed was coccidiocidal against E. duodenalis and E. tetartooimia, partly coccidiocidal against E. pacifica, and only partly coccidiostatic against E. phasiani. Salinomycin at 60 ppm in the feed was highly efficacious and coccidiocidal against all four species, but the salinomycin-medicated pheasants gained the least of all medicated birds. Lasalocid at 120 ppm in the feed was the most effective, with nearly complete coccidiocidal activity against all four coccidial species.     

Studies on the stage of action of lasalocid against Eimeria tenella and Eimeria acervulina in the chicken

Broiler chickens in battery pens were either fed a diet containing 100 ppm lasalocid or no drug for 24 h prior to inoculation with sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella or Eimeria acervulina. Different groups of birds remained on medicated feed for 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 or 144 h after inoculation. Conversely, other groups started on an unmedicated diet, were given medicated feed at different times after oocyst inoculation. Starting lasalocid medication 24 h (E. tenella) or 48 h (E. acervulina) after inoculation reduced the lesions and improved the weight gain. There was no significant difference in performance of birds after withdrawal of the drug at 48 h (E. tenella) or 72 h (E. acervulina) and thereafter. Starting lasalocid medication at 96 or 120 h did not suppress but rather reduced oocyst production.     

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.     

3种兔球虫ITS-1序列测定与系统发育分析

从河北省兔场分别单卵囊分离孢子化大型艾美耳球虫卵囊、黄艾美耳球虫卵囊及肠艾美耳球虫卵囊,接种无球虫兔后获得纯种卵囊,CTAB法提取孢子化卵囊基因组DNA。利用艾美耳属球虫18SrDNA和5．8SrDNA保守引物,PCR扩增3种兔球虫ITS-1片段,产物纯化后测序。将3种球虫ITS-1测序结果与GenBank发布的兔球虫ITS-1序列进行比对和遗传距离比较,绘制系统发育树。结果表明,大型艾美耳球虫、黄艾美耳球虫及肠艾美耳球虫河北株分别扩增出424、455、434bp的ITS-1片段。大型艾美耳球虫、黄艾美耳球虫及肠艾关耳球虫河北株与GenBank中发布的同种兔球虫ITS-1序列相似性分别为97．4％、97．9％和96．9％。系统发育树显示兔球虫ITS-1序列形成1个单系群,该单系群根据寄生部位分为2个姊妹群。     

3种兔球虫18S rDNA部分序列测定与系统发育分析

采用单卵囊分离法从河北某兔场分离大型艾美耳球虫、黄艾美耳球虫及肠艾美耳球虫,接种无球虫兔后获得大量纯种卵囊,CTAB法提取孢子化卵囊基因组DNA。利用艾美耳属球虫18S rDNA保守引物,PCR扩增3种兔球虫18S rDNA片段,产物纯化后测序。将3种球虫18S rDNA测序结果与GenBank中发布的兔球虫18S rDNA序列用DNAStar软件进行比对。使用MEGA4.0软件对兔球虫18S rDNA进行同源性比较,并绘制遗传进化树。结果表明,大型艾美耳球虫扩增出大小为1 521bp的18S rDNA片段;黄艾美耳球虫及肠艾美耳球虫均扩增出大小为1 520bp的18S rDNA片段。序列比对结果显示,3种河北株兔球虫与GenBank中相应的3种兔球虫18S rD-NA(EF694016、EF694011、EF694012)相似性分别为99.6%、99.6%和100%。3种河北株兔球虫序列和GenBank中兔球虫18S rDNA序列(EF694007-EF694017)位于一个单系集群。     

毒害艾美耳球虫早熟株与亲本株繁殖力的观察

为选育毒害艾美耳球虫(E.necatri)早熟株,了解其繁殖力,为早熟弱毒活苗的研制奠定基础,本试验运用球虫的单卵囊分离技术得到一株E.necatrix(P0),并对其进行了早熟选育,得到了E.necatrix早熟株P8。P0和P8分别以0.05×104、0.1×104、0.5×104和1×104个/只的剂量接种11日龄雏鸡,接种后第7～13天每天检测粪便中的卵囊产量。结果表明,P0与P8均为接种0.5×104个/只的卵囊产量最大;P8的繁殖力是P0的55%;P8的卵囊高峰期较P0有提前趋势。