Coccidiosis Infection Research Articles

Evaluation of metabolic syndromes and parasitic infection in Muscovy ducks under different management conditions.

Proper health management is essential for productivity in duck farming. However, there is limited information on the effect of management conditions on rates of metabolic problems and parasitic infections in anatids. We evaluated the rates of metabolic syndromes and gastrointestinal parasite involvement in Muscovy ducks up to 12 weeks of age, under 3 management conditions: backyard, organized, and organized with probiotics. Individuals under organized management developed 2 metabolic problems: ascites, which was rare (3.5%), fatal, and affected both males and females, and angel wing syndrome, which was more frequent (10.6%), has low impact on general health, and only affected males. The treatments do not have a significant effect on the development of ascites, but only individuals in controlled conditions presented this syndrome, and due to its low prevalence, further studies with a larger sample size are required. The risk of angel wing syndrome increased significantly with probiotic supplementation. Regarding to parasitic infection, the improvement of sanitary management and the use of probiotics supplementation reduced the occurrence of coccidiosis. Similarly organized management with probiotic supplementation showed a protective effect on helminthiasis by reducing the frequency of Heterakis gallinarum and greatly reducing the helminth egg load. Coccidiosis and helminthiasis infections were not significantly correlated with the final weight of the ducks. Therefore, organized management and the use of probiotics seems to reduce the impact of parasitic infection, although it increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

Concurrent infection of intestinal coccidiosis and Ascaridia galli in native Aseel chickens (Gallus domesticus) from Villupuram district, Tamilnadu, India

Concurrent infection of intestinal coccidiosis and Ascaridia galli in native Aseel chickens (Gallus domesticus) from Villupuram district, Tamilnadu, India

Levels of Fibrinogen as Predictor of Severity of Coccidiosis Infection in Rabbit Livestock

The purpose of this study was to make a linear model of the leukogram variable with the number of oocysts in cases of coccidiosis infection in rabbits. The infection response in illness of disease course and will be linearly proportional to the rate of severity that occurs. Blood samples obtained from 91 rabbits were examined to determine the value of their lekogram component, as well as 91 rabbit feces were examined to determine the number of livestock can be described in the dynamics of the components of white blood cells (leukocytes), the increased response to infection clinically and haematologically will run parallel to the coccidia oocysts. The quantitative data from the count of oocysts with lekogram values were analyzed using a multivariate regression model, to determine the best linear model that could describe the severity of coccidiosis infection with the lekogram value, with the number of oocysts as the dependent variable and the lecogram values as the independent variable, the best model of linearity can be used to predict disease severity. Of all the lekogram variables analyzed, the amount of total fibrinogen had a significant effect (P <0.05) on the severity of Coccidiosis, with the linear formula Y = 2.7 + Fibrinogen Value, so that the fibrinogen value could be used to predict the severity of Coccidiosis in rabbits.

Epidemiological, Morphological, and Histopathological Study of Quail Coccidiosis in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq

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.

Epidemiological, Morphological, and Histopathological Study of Quail Coccidiosis in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq

Coccidiosis is the most common and important disease of poultry resulting in great economic losses world widely. This objective of this study was to determine the species of Eimeria, their prevalence, and gut histopathological lesions in quail (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 determined microscopically. Hematoxylin and eosin, as well as Periodic-Acid Schiff stains, were used to document 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.

Anticoccidial efficacy of Garcinia kola (Heckel H.) against experimental Eimeria tenella infection in chicks.

There is a need to advance commercial poultry production to cater to the essential protein needs of an ever-increasing population, however, the rampant occurrence of coccidiosis infection poses a threat to this achievement. This study evaluated the in vivo anticoccidial activities of the extracts and fractions of Garcinia kola against experimental Eimeria tenella infection using broiler chickens as experimental subjects. A total of 40 broiler chicks were experimentally infected with E. tenella and assigned randomly into five groups consisting of eight chicks each. Three days post experimental infection groups I and II were administered orally with tween 80 (0.8%) and Amprolium (30mg/kg) and served as untreated and treated control groups, respectively whereas Groups III, IV, and V were administered orally with crude methanol extract (CME) at doses of 200, 400 and 600mg/kg, respectively, for five consecutive days. Daily weight gains were recorded and faecal oocysts per gram (OPG) counts were made by the McMaster Egg counting technique. Blood samples from each experimental group were collected on days 0, 3, 6, and 8 for haematological examination. In the acute toxicity studies, the CME of G. kola did not produce any toxic effect or mortality at doses between 10 and 5000mg/kg. The CME G. kola was then considered safe and the LD50 was assumed to be > 5000mg/kg. Graded doses of CME of G. kola considerably (P < 0.05) improved body weight gain and decreased OPG in a dose-depended manner. There was also significant improvement in the Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cell (RBC) and White Blood Cell (WBC) counts upon treatment with the graded doses of CME of G. kola. Besides, G. kola significantly decreased histopathological lesions in the caecum. The results of this study indicates that G. kola may provide beneficial effects against E. tenella-induced coccidiosis in broiler chickens.

Understanding the interactions between Eimeria infection and gut microbiota, towards the control of chicken coccidiosis: a review.

The gastrointestinal tract in poultry harbours a diverse microbial community that serves a crucial role in digestion and protection. Disruption of the gut environment due to Eimeria spp. parasite infection causes an imbalance in intestinal homeostasis, driving the increment of pathogens such as Clostridium species. Coccidiosis infection affects the composition and integrity of gut microbiota, resulting in elevated susceptibility to diseases that pose a serious threat to the overall health and productivity of chickens. Anticoccidial drugs have proven effective in curbing coccidiosis but with concerning drawbacks like drug resistance and drug residues in meat. The exploration of natural alternative strategies such as probiotics and phytochemicals is significant in controlling coccidiosis through modification and restoration of gut microbiota, without inducing drug resistance. Understanding the interaction between Eimeria parasites and gut microbiota is crucial for the control and prevention of coccidiosis, and the development of novel alternative treatments.

Risk factors for poor health and performance in European broiler production systems

BackgroundConventional broilers are currently one of the most efficient protein converters. Although decades of progress in genetic selection and feed formulation have lead to high standards of efficient broiler production, still a lot of variability is found between farms and between successive flocks. The aim of this study was to investigate risk- and/or protective factors for poor health and performance in conventional broiler-farms in Europe by developing eight multivariable linear mixed models. Three different models were used to investigate mortality (overall, first week, after first week), three models for performance variables (growth, feed conversion, European production index) and two models were related to slaughterhouse data (i.e. dead on arrival and condemnation rate).ResultsSeveral factors related to management and housing were significantly associated with health and performance of broilers. The following factors were associated with increased mortality: floor quality, neonatal septicemia, ventilation type and other professional activities of the farmer. The factors associated with performance were chick sex, coccidiosis infections, necrotic enteritis, dysbacteriosis, light intensity adaptations, ventilation type, comparing daily flock results with previous flock results by farmer, daily check of feed and water system and type of feed. For dead on arrival three risk factors were identified i.e. daily growth, type of light adaptation and type of drinkers system. For condemnation rate seven risk factors were found, i.e. type of drinking system, daily growth, feed withdrawal time, type of ventilation, house size, septicemia after seven days and type of feed.ConclusionsThese results imply that a multifactorial approach is required with adaptations involving both improvements in management, housing, health programs and an increasing level of professionalism of the farmer in order to improve broiler performance and health.

Body condition and poxvirus infection predict circulating glucose levels in a colorful songbird that inhabits urban and rural environments.

There is widespread contemporary interest in causes and consequences of blood glucose status in humans (e.g., links to diabetes and cardiovascular disease), but we know comparatively less about what underlies variation in glucose levels of wild animals. Several environmental factors, including diet, disease status, and habitat quality, may regulate glucose circulation, and we are in need of work that assesses many organismal traits simultaneously to understand the plasticity and predictability of glucose levels in ecological and evolutionary contexts. Here, we measured circulating glucose levels in a species of passerine bird (the house finch, Haemorhous mexicanus) that has served as a valuable model for research on sexual selection, disease, and urban behavioral ecology, as these animals display sexually dichromatic ornamental coloration, harbor many infectious diseases (e.g., poxvirus, coccidiosis, mycoplasmal conjunctivitis), and reside in both natural habitats and cities. We tested the effects of sex, habitat type, body condition, coccidiosis and poxvirus infections, and expression of carotenoid plumage coloration on blood glucose concentrations and found that the body condition and poxvirus infection significantly predicted circulating glucose levels. Specifically, birds with higher blood glucose levels had higher body condition scores and were infected with poxvirus. This result is consistent with biomedical, domesticated-animal, and wildlife-rehabilitation findings, and the premise that glucose elevation is a physiological response to or indicator of infection and relative body weight. The fact that we failed to find links between glucose and our other measurements suggests that blood glucose levels can reveal some but not all aspects of organismal or environmental quality.

The similarity of the effect of carbohydrase or prebiotic supplementation in broilers aged 21 days, fed mixed cereal diets and challenged with coccidiosis infection.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect on growth performance and nutrient utilisation when supplementing diets deficient in energy and protein with carbohydrase enzymes or xylo-oligosaccharide in broilers challenged with coccidia. 960 Ross 308 broilers were used in this 21-day study. The treatments were arranged into a 2×4 factorial with 2 challenge states (challenged and non-challenged) and 4 different additive types (control, xylanase alone, xylanase and β-glucanase mixture and xylo-oligosaccharide). On day 14, the challenged group received 12× the recommended dose of coccidiosis vaccine while the non-challenged group received a sham treatment of water only. The birds and feed were weighed on days 0, 14 and 21. On day 21, two birds per pen were euthanized, the caeca were removed and the contents collected for short chain fatty acid analysis. Six more birds per pen were euthanized and ileal digesta were collected and pooled per pen for nutrient digestibility analysis. Feed intake was greater (P < 0.05) on days 14 and 21 when xylo-oligosaccharide was included in the diet compared to the xylanase and β-glucanase mixture in birds challenged with coccidiosis. Including xylo-oligosaccharide in the diet improved (P < 0.05) the digestibility of nitrogen and supplementing diets with the xylanase and β-glucanase mixture improved (P < 0.05) the digestibility of several amino acids. The concentration of arabinose and xylose was (P < 0.001) greater when broiler diets were supplemented with carbohydrase enzymes or xylo-oligosaccharide compared to the control. Although there was an increase in short chain fatty acid production due to the addition of carbohydrase enzymes or xylo-oligosaccharide, there was no additive effect on the %G+C profile of caecal bacteria however there was a negative effect of coccidiosis. In conclusion, the similarity in the response to carbohydrase enzymes or xylo-oligosaccharide supplementation illustrates that the hydrolysis products from carbohydrase activity may have prebiotic like effects.

Mixed infection of helminthiasis and caecal coccidiosis in a native chicken farm from Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu

Muthusamy, P., Latchumikanthan, A. and Thirumavalavan, R. 2020. Mixed infection of helminthiasis and caecal coccidiosis in a native chicken farm from Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 55(2): 157–160.

Research Note: Correlation analysis of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 gene expression in chicken spleen and cecal tissues after Eimeria tenella infection in vivo

IL-6, IL-8, and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCLi2) are important factors in inflammatory and immune responses. To investigate their relationships in the spleen and cecum and between coccidiosis-infected and uninfected states, we performed quantitative real-time PCR to compare the relative expression difference of IL-6, IL-8, and CCLi2 in the same tissues between the infection and control groups. In addition, the correlations of the relative expression levels of these 3 genes were determined in the same and different tissues within the same group. The results showed that the expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, and CCLi2 in the spleen and cecum of the infected group were all higher than those of the uninfected group (P < 0.05). The correlation coefficients among the IL-6, IL-8, and CCLi2 expression levels in the spleen or cecum were all positive in both the infection and control groups. In the spleen tissues, CCLi2 expression was strongly correlated with IL-6 and IL-8 in the uninfected group (P < 0.01), and the correlation coefficients reached 0.853 (R2 = 0.728) and 0.996 (R2 = 0.992), respectively. The expression of CCLi2 was also strongly correlated with IL-8 (R reached 0.890, R2 = 0.792) in the infected group. In the cecal tissues, the expression levels of the 3 genes were all extremely significantly correlated in the uninfected group (P < 0.01), and the correlation coefficients ranged from 0.498 to 0.765, indicating moderate correlations. The expression of IL-6 was extremely significantly positively correlated with IL-8 and CCLi2 in the infected group (P < 0.01), with moderate correlations (R ranged from 0.469–0.639). In addition, the expression levels of the 3 genes were not significantly correlated (P > 0.05) between the spleen and cecum tissues in either the infection group or the control group. These results indicate that IL-6, IL-8, and CCLi2 were correlated and play an important role in coccidiosis infection of Jinghai yellow chicken. Our data also provide a basis for further exploring the role of these 3 genes in genetic breeding for coccidiosis resistance.

Beneficial effects of dietary supplementation of Bacillus strains on growth performance and gut health in chickens with mixed coccidiosis infection

The present study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with several Bacillus strains on growth performance, intestinal inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, anti-oxidants and tight junction (TJ) protein mRNA expression in broiler chickens challenged with mixed coccidia infection (oocysts of Eimeria tenella, Eimeria maxima and Eimeria acervulina). Ten different Bacillus strains were screened for their beneficial effects on coccidiosis challenge by measuring relative body weight gain (RBWG), lesion score, and total oocyst count. Three out of ten Bacillus strains were evaluated in depth by measuring RBWG, lesion score, total oocyst count, and the gene expression of proinflammatory (IL-6 and IL-8), anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and TGF-β), anti-oxidant (SOD1 and HMOX1), and TJ (JAM2 and occludin) proteins. Our results showed that out of the ten different Bacillus strains, chickens fed with three strains, one Bacillus licheniformis and two Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, showed significantly higher RBWG, lower lesion scores (ceca, jejunum, and duodenum), and lower total fecal oocyst counts compared to non-Bacillus-fed control chickens. Post-coccidia challenge, the RBWG for the Bacillus-fed groups were 95–100 % as opposed to the control birds (70 %) at 6 days post infection (dpi) and 10 dpi. Similarly, the lesion scores for three organs were around 0.8-0.9 for the Bacillus-fed groups as opposed to control birds (lesion score range ∼1.4–2). The total oocyst counts were much lower in the Bacillus-fed group (10–20 folds lesser) than the control group. Furthermore, the Bacillus-fed groups showed differential gene expression at 3 dpi in different tissues, such as caecum, jejunum, and duodenum. Bacillus-fed chickens showed significant pro- and anti-inflammatory responses and higher expression of anti-oxidants and TJ proteins in the ceca, duodenum, and jejunum. Overall, our results demonstrated that dietary supplementation with Bacillus strains as direct-fed microbials (DFM) significantly improved the body weight gain after mixed coccidia challenge compared to non-Bacillus-fed and coccidia challenged control group. In conclusion, the results of this study are promising and indicate the many beneficial effects of DFM-supplementation in poultry diets to reduce the negative consequences of enteric diseases and to decrease economic losses imposed by coccidia infection in chickens.

Effects of Glutamine Supplementation on Broiler Performance and Intestinal Immune Parameters During an Experimental Coccidiosis Infection

SUMMARY The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of glutamine supplementation on performance and intestinal immune parameters of broilers during an experimental coccidiosis infection. There were 3 glutamine supplementation levels in this study: 0, 0.5, and 1.0%. At 14 d of age, each bird was given an oral gavage of 20X dose of Coccivac B52 suspended in distilled water. IFN-γ mRNA levels were downregulated 11.8- and 2.0-fold in the jejunum and 8.1- and 7.9-fold in the cecal tonsils of birds supplemented with 0.5 and 1.0% glutamine at 21 d, respectively, compared to that in the birds fed 0% supplemental glutamine (P = 0.06 and P = 0.01, respectively). At 21 d of age, IL-10 mRNA levels were downregulated in the jejunum of the birds supplemented with 0.5 and 1.0% having a 25.3- and a 1.5-fold lower level, respectively (P 0.05) were observed on any performance parameter or T-cell population percentages. This study shows that glutamine supplementation upregulated tight junction protein gene expression, improved intestinal morphology, and downregulated pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine gene expression. In conclusion, these results indicate that dietary glutamine supplementation can improve intestinal health in birds challenged with an experimental coccidiosis infection.

Epidemiological survey and risk factor analysis on Eimeria infections in calves and young cattle up to 1 year old in Colombia.

A large-scale cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted to evaluate prevalence, species diversity, and associated risk factors of Eimeria infections in 55 cattle farms across seven states of Colombia, including subtropical and tropical regions. In total, 1333 fecal samples from young animals (< 1 year of age) were examined at a single sampling date from August 2016 to December 2016. Flotation and McMaster techniques were conducted for parasitological investigation. Excreted Eimeria oocysts were allowed to sporulate in vitro and thereafter identified to species level based on morphological and morphometric characteristics. The overall Eimeria prevalence was 75.5% (1006/1333), with no difference observed between age categories. In total, 13 different Eimeria species were identified. The most prevalent species was E. bovis (33.5%), followed by E. auburnensis (12.5%) and E. zuernii (11.9%). Analysis of extrinsic associated risk factors revealed the floor type, feeding system, watering system, and herd size as significant (p < 0.05) risk factors for Eimeria spp. infections. Based on these data, it can be assumed that bovine coccidiosis infections occur ubiquitously in the country and might play an important role especially in its subclinical form by affecting production parameters in conventional cattle management systems.

Efficacy of In Ovo Delivered Prebiotics on Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Gut Health of Kuroiler Chickens in the Face of a Natural Coccidiosis Challenge.

Simple SummaryThe management of coccidiosis in poultry farms is mainly dependent on the use of anticoccidial drugs. Development of resistance to existing anticoccidial drugs coupled with restrictive use of antibiotics to control secondary bacterial infections following the ban on antibiotics, stresses the urgent need to explore alternative strategies for maintaining intestinal functionality in chickens for improved productivity. Prebiotics have been proposed as a solution to the intestinal problems of poultry. This study demonstrates that in ovo delivered prebiotics with or without antibiotics reduces severity of intestinal lesions and oocyst excretion induced by natural infection with Eimeria. Prebiotics protected Kuroiler chickens from coccidia in particular in the first 56 days of age and tended to have a synergistic effect with anticoccidial drug in the management of the disease post-infection in the field, with positive effects on performance and meat quality.A study was carried out to assess the efficacy of prebiotic delivered in ovo on performance, carcass traits, meat quality and gut health in the face of a natural coccidiosis infection in Kuroiler chickens. On d 12 of incubation, 150 fertile eggs were divided into a prebiotic group injected with trans-galactooligosaccharides (Bi2tos) and a control group uninjected. Hatched chicks from each group were further divided: One group received antibiotic chick formula while the other was left untreated, giving rise to 4 groups—Control (C), Antibiotic (A), Bi2tos (B), and Bi2tos + Antibiotic (AB). Prebiotic improved growth performance at six weeks of age, AB birds were the heaviest at the end of the rearing period. The highest intestinal lesion scores and oocyst counts were recorded in C birds. B group had a slightly higher carcass weight and cuts yields tended to be higher in treated groups compared to C. Meat from B group displayed a higher amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to C and a positively lower n-6/n-3 ratio compared to C and A. In conclusion, prebiotics with or without antibiotics reduced severity of intestinal lesions and oocyst excretion induced by natural infection with Eimeria, with positive effects on Kuroiler chicken productive traits.

Effect of Synbiotics and Essential Oils in Ameliorating the Negative Drawbacks of Necrotic Enteritis and Coccidiosis in Broiler Chicks.

An experiment was conducted on 210 healthy one day old broiler chicks to evaluate the effect of synbiotics and/ or essential oils on induced necrotic enteritis (NE) and coccidiosis. The treated groups were, 1) ABAC group: challenged and fed basal diet with antibiotic and anticoccidial drugs; 2) SY group: challenged and fed basal diet with synbiotic; 3) EO group: challenged and fed basal diet with essential oils (EO); 4) SYEO group: challenged and fed basal diet with combination of synbiotics and essential oils; 5) CO group: fed basal diet and challenged with Eimeria spp.; 6) NE group: fed basal diet and challenged with Eimeria spp. + C. perfringens, and 7) CN group: fed basal diet. All additives were given from 0 day (d) to 35 d. The results showed positive impact of synbiotic and EO treatments on lesion scoring and C. perfringens quantification in comparison with challenged non treated groups. The body weight did not show significant improvement (P>0.05) in SY group but the EO group increased the BW (P>0.05). The treatments significantly decreased the oocyst shedding, dropping scoring and litter scoring against coccidiosis infection in comparison with NE group (P 0.05). All treatments significantly improved the histopathological lesion scoring of intestine and liver as well as the coccidial infection score (P<0.05). Our data suggest that synbiotic and essential oils may be used as promising alternatives for antibiotic and anticoccidial feed additives.

EFFICIENCY A NEW OF COMPLEX COMPOSITION COCCIFENAL WITH MIXED COCCIDIO-CAPILLARIOSIS INVASION OF YOUNG DUCKS

New data have been obtained in studying the effectiveness of the new complex composition of Coccifenal in the case of mixed invasion of coccidiosis and capillariosis in young of ducks. Experiments to determine the effectiveness of the new complex composition of Сoссifenal in the case of mixed infection of coccidiosis and capillariosis were carried out on the livestock of young ducks of the Peking breed free-range in the group method. In the farm "Carthage", based on copro-and larvoscopy, young ducks infected with polyinvasion of coccidiosis and capillariasis were selected, of which 4 groups of 15 heads each were formed. In young ducks of a free-range duck, mixed coccidial-capillary invasion occurs with an extensive invasion (EI) of 0.7–12.4% with minimal and average values of the invasion intensity (II). In experiments on the 7th day after group giving with mixed invasion of young ducks, the new complex composition Coccifenal showed high coccidioid and nematodocide efficacy of 100% against 8 types of coccidia and 2 types capillaryin a dose of 0.25 g/kg of body weight, once with feed. The complex composition of Coccifenal, once with feed, is a highly effective coccidicidal and nematodesocidal preparation, is environmentally safe, has no side effects and is recommended for the treatment and prevention of mixinvasion in young ducks.

Gastric coccidiosis in Thoracocharax stellatus caused by Goussia guamaensis n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Amazon region.

Ninety-seven specimens of spotfin hatchetfish, Thoracocharax stellatus, an ornamental freshwater species from the Amazon basin, were captured in the basin of the Guamá River in the municipality of Belém, in northern Brazil, and analysed for coccidiosis infection. Overall, 26 of the specimens were infected by apicomplexan parasites of the genus Goussia, with unsporulated forms being found in the gastric epithelium and sporulated forms in the intestinal lumen. The spheroid oocysts (mean diameter: 13.2±1.7μm) have four elliptical sporocysts. A partial sequence of the SSU rDNA of the new species was obtained, which contained 1,121 base pairs, with 43.8% guanine+cytosine (G+C), and the bases distributed as follows: A=28.1%, C=18.3%, G=25.5% and T=28.1%. The combined analysis of the morphometric and phylogenetic evidence confirmed that the specimens represented the genus Goussia and were allocated to a new species, Goussia guamaensis n. sp., which is described here.

Body Weight, Oocyte Elimination and Blood Profile of Rabbit After Challenge Test Using Eimeria stiedai

The objective of the research was to investigate body weight, oocyte elimination and blood profile of rabbits infected with various doses of Eimeria stiedai isolates. The observed rabbits’ blood profile included erythrocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leucocyte, thrombocyte, total protein plasma (TPP) and fibrinogen. Twenty-five male New Zealand White rabbits aged 3 months and weighed approximately 2 kg were provided with pellet and boiled drinking water and Eimeria stiedai isolates. The experiment used Completely Randomized Design to analyze 5 treatments with five replicates. The examined variables included D0: Infection 0 (control of infection without challenge test), D1: Infection 101 with challenge test 103, D2: infection 102 with challenge test 103, D3: infection 103 with challenge test 103, D4: infection 0 with challenge test 103 (control of infection). Data were subject to analysis of variance followed by Honestly Significant Difference Test (HSD). Analysis of Variance result showed that there was no significant difference on body weight, oocyte elimination and blood profile including erythrocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leucocyte, thrombocyte, and fibrinogen. However, total protein plasma (TTP) was significantly different at 5% HSD. It can be concluded that challenge test with Eimeria stiedai has not been used as an alternative in increasing rabbits’ body immune against coccidiosis infection.