Excretion of Eimeria alabamensis oocysts in grazing calves and young stock

The aims of the present study were to investigate the excretion of Eimeria alabamensis oocysts by young cattle during their first grazing season and during the first 16 days of their second grazing period. In trial 1, nine first-season grazing heifers were studied and found to have become infected with E. alabamensis shortly after turnout. The next grazing period they were turned out on to a permanent pasture together with two first-season grazing calves. Faecal samples were collected before turnout and then daily from day 3 to day 16. The second-season grazing heifers excreted insignificant numbers of E. alabamensis oocysts, whereas one of the two first-season grazing calves excreted up to 703,000 oocysts/g of faeces (OPG), indicating that the pasture was contaminated. In trial 2, faecal samples were collected from 12 calves before their first turnout in May, daily from day 2 to day 20 after turnout and then once a week until the end of September. The calves grazed pastures used in previous years by first-season grazing calves. Nine of the calves developed clinical E. alabamensis coccidiosis 4-7 days after turnout and excreted more than 950,000 OPG on days 9-10. By day 17 the oocyst excretion had decreased below 900 OPG and remained low throughout the rest of the grazing season. The results of the two studies indicate that reinfections with E. alabamensis are of little clinical importance in calves grazing contaminated pastures, and that young stock infected with E. alabamensis during their first grazing season may be used to cleanse contaminated pastures without risk of developing clinical coccidiosis.     

Isolation and pathogenicity of Australian strains of Eimeria praecox and Eimeria mitis

Objective To determine the presence of E praecox and E mitis in Australia, to isolate representative strains of these species from chickens and determine their pathogenicity.
Design Morphological, physiological and cross protection studies were undertaken to confirm the identity of Australian isolates of E praecox and E mitis.
Procedure Oocysts were isolated from a backyard flock at Jimboomba, southeastern Queensland and numbers of E praecox and E mitis enriched by passage in chickens immune to five other species of poultry Eimeria . Oocysts of mean conformation and size of the two species were purified by single oocyst passage. Two isolates that closely matched recorded parameters for E praecox and E mitis were selected and designated JP and JM respectively. The cross protection between the isolates and E acervulina was determined by infection and challenge experiments. The virulence of the two isolates was determined by comparing weight gains of groups of birds inoculated with JP isolate or JM isolate with untreated groups.
Results Isolates JP and JM most closely matched recorded parameters of E praecox and E mitis respectively. Groups of chickens, previously infected with JP and JM isolates, showed no significant protection against infection with E acervulina . In a separate trial, groups of susceptible chickens inoculated with 10⁵ oocysts of JP and JM isolates showed significantly reduced weight gains compared with untreated controls.
Conclusion Isolates JP and JM are E praecox and E mitis respectively, confirming the presence of these species in Australia. These isolates were found capable of causing significant reductions in weight gains in susceptible chickens.     

Additional details of the life history of the chicken coccidium Eimeria mitis Tyzzer, 1929

Four asexual generations of Eimeria mitis were identified. The first three developed above the epithelial cell nuclei, but the fourth developed above and below. Meronts measured 13.8 x 16.4 microns, 16.1 x 16.4 microns, 12.1 x 14.6 microns, and 9.5 x 12.4 microns, respectively, of generations 1, 2, 3, and 4. They matured at 36, 67, 72, and 88 hr postinoculation (PI) and contain 20-24, 16-20, 10-14, and 7-10 merozoites, respectively. Merozonts measured 7.2 x 1.9 microns, 8.5 x 2.5 microns, 9.6 x 2.0 microns, and 6.75 x 2.75 microns, respectively. The first two types of meronts were deep in the crypts and epithelial cells. The third and fourth types of meronts were along the side and tip of the villi. Gametocytes developed from third and fourth generation. Gamonts were usually below the nuclei of the epithelial cells. Parasitism was primarily in the ileum, ceca, and rectum and also in the yolk-sac diverticulum.     

Survival of Oocysts of Eimeria alabamensis on Pastures under Different Climatic Conditions in Sweden

The extent to which oocysts of the coccidian parasite Eimeria alabamensis can survive the winter and cause clinical coccidiosis in different parts of Sweden was investigated. Fecal samples were collected between May and July 1993 from calves on 59 farms where calves had grazed the same pasture for at least 5 consecutive years. The farms were situated in 9 regions of Sweden with different climatic conditions in the winter. On each farm, 5 samples of feces were collected from the floor of the calf-house before the calves were turned out in the spring, and again from the pasture on days 4 or 5, 8 or 9 and 10 or 11 after they were turned out. Overwintering of oocysts of E. alabamensis was considered to have occurred if an increase in the excretion rate of oocysts of this species could be demonstrated 8 to 11 days after calves had been turned out to pastures that had not been grazed since the previous autumn. Oocysts were shown to have overwintered on 27 farms, representing all 9 regions. Samples from 20 (34%) of the farms representing all the climatic regions contained more than 850000 oocysts per g of feces. This was comparable with the numbers found in animals with clinical coccidiosis due to E. alabamensis. Delaying turnout until the beginning of July did not affect the infection rate of the calves. However, calves which were turned out to pastures that had been grazed by older cattle or horses, either earlier in the spring or in previous years, excreted significantly fewer oocysts than calves which were turned out to pastures that had been grazed only by calves. A questionnaire answered by 321 dairy farmers revealed that of the 298 farmers who turned their first-season grazing cattle out to traditional pastures, 179 (60%) had used the same pasture for at least 5 years. These 179 farmers had experienced a significantly higher incidence of diarrhoea in their calves during the first 2 weeks at pasture than those farmers who had used different pastures.     

Relative virulences of a drug-resistant and a drug-sensitive strain of Eimeria acervulina, a coccidium of chickens

The virulence of a field strain of the chicken coccidian parasite Eimeria acervulina (Boreham I), dually resistant to the chemically unrelated anticoccidial agents decoquinate and clopidol, was compared with that of a drug-sensitive laboratory strain (Ongar) of the same species. Following a single heavy infection (prevented from recycling), both strains exhibited pathogenic effects typical of their species, viz., pathognomonic lesions, adverse effects on body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR), but no mortality. One week after infection, chicks infected with either strain had a statistically significantly worse weight gain than the uninfected control; the Boreham I strain produced more oocysts, and caused slightly more severe duodenal lesions and poorer FCRs than the Ongar strain (all those effects being non-significant). After 3 weeks, there were no significant differences between any cumulative effects of either strain, nor any differences from the uninfected control. However, from 2 to 3 weeks after infection, chicks infected with either strain had a greater feed consumption and growth rate than uninfected chicks. When chicks reared on solid floors were given lighter infections of either strain, which were allowed subsequently to recycle naturally, there were no consistent reductions in weight gains, but feed consumption was higher than that of uninfected chicks. Whatever, the mode of infection, there were no significant differences between the weights of infected and uninfected chicks after 3 weeks, but the FCR of infected chicks was usually poorer than that of uninfected chicks. The difference between the virulences of the Boreham I and Ongar strains was not greater than that between various drug-resistant strains or between various sensitive strains of several Eimeria species recorded in the literature. It is therefore concluded that there was no difference between the virulences of the two strains of E. acervulina that could be attributed to the drug-resistance of one of them.     

毒害艾美耳球虫-田间分离株的致病性试验

毒害艾美耳球虫扬州田间分离株以不同的剂量(10 000,30 000,50 000,70 000,90 000个卵囊/羽)感染28日龄黄羽肉雏鸡,以平均增重、死亡率、病变记分等指标评价其致病性。结果显示,除10 000个卵囊组外,其余4个剂量组均显著影响增重(P<0.05),并引起鸡的死亡,死亡率分别为37.5%～50%、37.5%～50%、62.5%、75%～87.5%;各感染组均出现肠道病变,其中10 000个卵囊组的病变值显著小于其余4个剂量组(P<0.05),但与不感染对照组相比有显著差异(P<0.05)。结论表明,该毒害艾美耳球虫田间分离株有很强的致病性。     

Life cycle of Eimeria krijgsmanni-like coccidium in the mouse (Mus musculus)

Life cycle of Eimeria krijgsmanni-like coccidium isolated from the feces of naturally infected mice purchased from commercial sources was examined. The parasite was purified by single oocyst isolation and maintained by passage in the mice before experiments. The sporulated oocysts were ovoid or ellipsoid, measuring 19.3 x 14.8 microm on average. One or two small polar granules were present. Micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent. Sporocysts were ellipsoid, measuring 11.6 x 7.2 microm on average with a small Stieda body and sporocyst residuum. Six groups of respective 5 mice (4-week-old) were inoculated with doses varying from 2.0 x 10(1) to 10(6) oocysts. All the mice examined began to shed oocysts from 7 day postinoculation (PI) and their maximum number of oocysts per gram of feces were 10(6) on day 8 PI. Patency was 6 or 7 days. This parasite had severe virulence to the mice that is, the mice given 10(6) oocysts showed anorexia, diarrhoea and rough hair from 1 day and all of them died on day 3 PI. The mice given 10(3) or more oocysts showed the clinical signs described above from day 5 and 4 of them received 10(5) died on day 9 or 10 PI. The parasites occurred within the epithelial cells of cecum, colon and rectum of infected mice. Sporozoites, 13.9 x 3.0 microm, with two large refractil bodies on side of the nucleus located subcentrally were observed on day 1 and 2 PI. Merozoites were first observed at 24 hr PI, and sexual stages were found from 4 day PI. No parasites were detected in the small intestine and mecenteric lymph nodes.     

Biology, pathogenicity, diagnosis and control of Ancylostoma caninum]

Infections with Ancylostoma caninum are transmitted orally or percutaneously. The transmission of infectious stages with the milk of particular importance for the distribution of the species. It occurs during the dissemination of larvae that follows every infection as well as after reactivation of resting somatic larvae in the bitch at the end of the pregnancy. The galactogenic transmission of larvae occurs even when, due to existing immunity, no patent infections develop in the bitch. Immunity does not or only to a low extent influence impatient infections or the migration of reactivated somatic larvae. It also allows a limited reestablishment of a deposit of larvae in the bitch. Following percutaneous infection dermatitis occurs in the area of larval penetration and the lung is affected by migrating larvae. Intestinal stages of Ancylostoma caninum damage the host by ingestion of the mucosa of the small intestine and withdrawal of blood. Main symptoms of ancylostomiasis are a mucous haemorrhagic diarrhoea and anaemia, that become visible 8 to 10 days post infection. The examination for impatient infections with Ancylostoma caninum can be done by immunofluorescence and ELISA. With both methods antibodies against third stage larvae can be detected from the first or second week post infection onward. Patent infections with Ancylostoma caninum can easily be detected by faecal examination for the presence of the characteristic oval, thin-walled eggs containing few blastomeres. Galactogenic infections with Ancylostoma caninum can be prevented or reduced by a regular treatment of the bitch with albendazole, fenbendazole or oxfendazole during the activation of larvae in the last third of the pregnancy or by repeated treatment with ivermectin shortly before and after birth. To prevent patent infections, galactogenic infected puppies have to be treated early and repeatedly.     

穿孔艾美耳球虫浙江分离株的致病性和免疫原性

兔球虫病是一种严重威胁我国家兔养殖业的重要传染性寄生虫病,目前,世界公认的兔球虫种类有11种,其中,穿孔艾美耳球虫(Eimeria perforans)在我国兔群的感染率最高,为35.2%;然而,国内尚未有关于其分离株致病性和免疫性的报道。本研究通过单卵囊显微挑选和无球虫兔体内传代技术,从浙江地区分离获得了1株穿孔艾美耳球虫,在此基础上,通过分子生物学技术对其进行了分子鉴定,结果显示,浙江分离株与欧洲分离株在18S rRNA基因序列的同源性在99.2%以上,且在进化树上自成一小亚枝。最后,通过动物试验对其致病性和免疫原性进行了鉴定,致病性试验结果如下:以5×10~2(Ⅰ组),5×10~3(Ⅱ组),5×10~4(Ⅲ组)和5×10~5(Ⅳ组)个孢子化卵囊感染无球虫兔,在感染后4～6 d,各感染组均出现饮水、食料和排粪量明显减少,以及粪便形态干小的临床症状,其中,第Ⅲ组中的2只兔在接种后12 d出现腹泻,并在之后第13天死亡1只,死亡兔剖检十二指肠和空肠有弥散性出血点;在感染后6～12 d,各感染组兔平均体质量数值上略小于不感染对照组,但无显著性差异(P≥0.05);在感染后5～13 d,第Ⅰ～Ⅳ组兔的平均排卵囊总量分别为(3.65×10~7±1.86×10~6)/只、(9.92×10~7±3.60×10~6)/只、(4.89×10~7±4.49×10~6)/只和(3.93×10~7±1.56×10~6)/只,以第Ⅱ组兔的平均排卵囊量最大,排卵囊期持续2周以上,有2个排卵囊高峰,高峰值分别出现在感染后第7和10～11天;免疫原性试验结果如下:第Ⅰ～Ⅴ组兔在感染接种后第14天攻毒,攻毒剂量为1×10~6个孢子化卵囊/只,攻毒后第4～6天,第Ⅲ、Ⅳ组和攻毒对照组(Ⅴ组)出现拉稀症状,其中,第Ⅲ组兔分别在攻毒后第6和7天死亡1只,攻毒后死亡率为50%;攻毒后,除第Ⅲ组外,各组兔平均体质量无显著性差异(P≤0.05);攻毒后第5～10天,第Ⅰ～Ⅴ组兔的平均排卵囊总量分别为(3.88×10~5±2.10×10~5)/只、(8.00×10~5±2.83×10~5)/只、(1.89×10~5±2.25×10~4)/只、(3.36×10~5±7.46×10~4)/只和(1.77×10~6±6.34×10~5)/只,相对于攻毒对照组,第Ⅰ～Ⅳ组兔的卵囊减少排出比率分别为78.0%,54.7%,89.3%和81.0%。以上试验结果表明,穿孔艾美耳球虫浙江分离株为致病性毒株,可导致试验兔拉稀和死亡,但免疫原性不强。     

和缓艾美耳球虫保定株的分离鉴定与致病性研究

采用单卵囊分离技术,从河北省保定市暴发球虫病的某鸡场鸡粪便中成功分离出1株和缓艾美耳球虫(Eimeria mitis),并对其生物学特性和致病性进行了研究。该虫株主要寄生于小肠后段,潜隐期为97 h,孢子化时间为22 h,卵囊呈球形,平均大小为15.9μm×14.4μm,卵囊指数为1.10,PCR鉴定为纯种的和缓艾美耳球虫,将其命名为和缓艾美耳球虫保定株。该虫株排卵期为感染后第4～10天,其中第5～6天为高峰期。SPF鸡分别感染5×10~4个、1×10~5和2×10~5个和缓艾美耳球虫保定株孢子化卵囊后,均出现精神不振、排水样粪便等球虫病引起的临床症状,且各组相对增重率分别为78.5%、63.5%和59.3%,明显低于空白对照组,该虫株具有一定的致病性,表现为发病和减重。