Occurrence of Eimeria species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt.

Abstract

The importance of rabbits for economic, medical, and biological purposes has been well appreciated. In the present study, a total of 200 domestic rabbits were collected from Qena Governorate, Egypt, from 2018 to October 2020. Their fecal samples were tested for the presence of Eimeria species oocysts using the standard flotation technique, which revealed oocysts in 100 rabbits (50%). The following 11 species of Eimeria were examined morphologically and morphometrically from different parts of the rabbits intestine (duodenum, ileum, cecum, colon, and rectum): Eimeria coecicola (8%), E. exigua (65%), E. flavescens (30%), E. irresidua (35%), E. magna (10%), E. media (25%), E. perforans (63%), E. intestinalis (50%), E. stiedae (2%), E. vejdovskyi (5%), and E. piriformis (3%). Moreover, the endogenous stages of E. intestinalis were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. Macrogametogenesis and microgametogenesis were observed. The development of microgamonts, macrogametes, and oocysts with their fine structural characteristics was detected. Additionally, in this study E. stiedae, E. irresidua, and E. vejdovskyi are reported for the first time in Qena, Upper Egypt. The present study calls for further study on these species with a focus on providing molecular phylogenetic work and declaring control strategies against these species.