Double alteration of the small intestine in conventional and gnotobiotic piglets experimentally infected with the coccidium Isospora suis (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae)

The pathogenicity of the coccidium Isospora suis was studied in 42 conventional and 26 gnotobiotic piglets at 1-13 days post infection (DPI). The prepatent period of the coccidium I. suis was 4.5-5 days. Only in one experiment in conventional piglets the prepatent period of 3.5 days was recorded. At least 9 days pathogenesis of I. suis was recorded during which double alteration of the small intestine occurred. The first alteration was found at 3-4 DPI. The second phase of alterative changes was observed at 8-9 DPI. In comparison with gnotobiotic piglets in conventional piglets clinical signs and pathological changes used to appear one day sooner but reparation and regeneration of alterative changes was quicker. In the first phase of the infection (3-7 or 8 DPI) the heaviest pathological changes were in the posterior jejunum. In the second phase of the infection (8 or 9-12 DPI) the heaviest changes were in the middle jejunum. In short period repeated lesions of mucosal barrier of the small intestine multiply the pathogenicity of I. suis and rank I. suis in front place among other enteropathogens of nursing piglets.