Coccidiosis in japanese quails (Coturnix japonica): characterization of a naturally occurring infection in a commercial rearing farm&lt;A NAME="nt01a"&gt;&lt;/A&gt;

M Teixeira,Wl Teixeira Filho,Cwg Lopes

doi:10.1590/s1516-635x2004000200010

Coccidiosis in japanese quails (Coturnix japonica): characterization of a naturally occurring infection in a commercial rearing farm<A NAME="nt01a"></A>

M Teixeira, Wl Teixeira Filho + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-635x2004000200010

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Abstract

A study about coccidiosis in Japanese quails was carried out in order to identify species of the genus Eimeria and characterize a naturally occurring infection in a commercial rearing farm. For this purpose, fecal exams, oocyst counting and morphological study were performed, besides necropsy and histopathology to confirm diagnosis. Three species of the genus Eimeria were found and identified as E. tsunodai, E. uzura and E. bateri. The natural infection was characterized as subclinical because of the mild and nonspecific clinical signs. Nevertheless, coccidiosis was considered an important disease because endogenous stages of the parasites and a high number of oocysts in feces were associated with intestinal lesions. The results suggest that such infection might represent a limiting factor to this branch of the modern poultry industry.

Highlights

Quail production can be considered a branch of the modern poultry industry
This study presents an evaluation of coccidiosis in naturally infected Japanese quails from a commercial rearing farm
Despite usually only one polar granule was present, it could appear in pairs and refractive

Summary

Introduction

Quail production can be considered a branch of the modern poultry industry. Similar to the majority of animal production systems, it demands constant improvements on the application of new technologies and sanitary control. Most studies have been published on Japanese quail nutrition (Garcia et al, 2002) and few have been done concerning quail diseases (Bigland et al, 1964). Coccidiosis affect bird development as well as production. Since quails are reared mostly in battery, there is no report in the literature on this disease, especially in this country. This study presents an evaluation of coccidiosis in naturally infected Japanese quails from a commercial rearing farm

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