Abstract
Coccidiosis is the most common and important disease of poultry resulting in great economic losses world widely. The objective of this study was to define the species of Eimeria, their prevalence, and gut histopathological lesions in quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in Thi-Qar province, Iraq. Over the period of ten months (December 2019 to September 2020), a total of 330 fresh fecal samples (201 from males and 129 from females) were collected from different marketplaces and farms in Thi-Qar province. Direct smear and flotation techniques were used to examine the presence of Eimeria oocysts in the fecal samples. The sporulated oocyst shape indices were measured microscopically. Hematoxylin and eosin, as well as Periodic-Acid Schiff stains were used to diagnose potential pathological lesions and Eimeria developmental phases within the small (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) and large (caeca) intestines. Four species, according to the criteria adopted, Eimeria bateri, Eimeria uzura, Eimeria tsunodai, and Eimeria fluminensis were uncovered in current study, with shape indices of 1.30, 1.36, 1.30, and 1.05, respectively. The total infection rate was 64.54%; and the morphological characteristics of the oocysts was identified. The highest infection rate was in E. bateri (41.78%), while the lowest infection rate was in E. fluminensis (7.98%). The highest prevalence rate was in March 84.84% with a significant effect at P<0.01. The sex of quail had no significant effect of the coccidiosis infection. The study revealed a destruction in the epithelium of the mucosa and submucosa of the intestine and development of the Eimeria stages, which led to malabsorption and consequently weight loss and economic losses in the quail industry.
Highlights
Quails are most susceptible for various diseases such as coccidiosis which is recognized as a dangerous parasitic disease problem limiting the quail industry [1]
The study revealed that 213 cases out of a total of 330 fecal samples were infected with Eimeria species, with a total infection rate of 64.54%
Mohammad [5] recorded a 49.4% infection rate in Mosul city which was lower than the results in the present study while [6] recorded a 78.33% infection rate in Baghdad, which was higher than the results of our study
Summary
Quails are most susceptible for various diseases such as coccidiosis which is recognized as a dangerous parasitic disease problem limiting the quail industry [1]. Avian coccidiosis is an enteric parasitic disease is caused by multiple species of the protozoan parasite of genus Eimeria. Eimeria is a single-cell, obligatory intestinal epithelial parasite that is one of the most common and cost-effective poultry diseases in the world, causing substantial morbidity and mortality rates (owing to acute and bloody enteritis) [2,3,4]. The mechanism and degree of tissue damage depended on the species of Eimeria involved, the size of the infectious dose of oocytes, stress, and various factors related to the host including age, physical condition, genetic sensitivity, and degree of immunity in young animals [7, 8].
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