Cattle, Rabbit, Pig and Carnivores Coccidiosis

Question 1

Cattle coccidiosis:
Eimeria Zuernii, Eimeria bovis
(most pathogenic out of 21 sp.)

Answer 1

Young calves 2-6 months in crowded unsanitary conditions, rarely in adults.
1. Clinical signs: mild infection - unnoticed,. HAEMORRAGIC and VISCOUS DIARRHOEA , cahexia , anemia , acute death(cerebral disorders-CNS symptoms)
2. Diagnosis: i. detection of unsporulated occysts in feces with floatation method - NOT ENOUGH.
*E. Zuerii- schizons+merozoites in mucus/bloody shreds of the feces!!!!!
ii. Oocyst counting (OPG) with McMaster method.
*Shedding is independent from gut pathology.
*Animal usually harbour more than one sp.
2. Necroscopy: caterrhal to diphteroid enteritis in LARGE intestine, diffuse haemorrages, mucosal odema
Microscopic study if intestinal scraping (desquamation,necrosis)

Question 2

Eimeria life cycle

Answer 2

Unsporulated oocyst (zygote) => sporulated oocyst (4 sporocyst, each has 2 sporozoites , infectious) => ingested, enters the gut=> excystation (sporocyst->sporozoites release) => sporozoites invade enterocytes=> trophozoites=> schizons (contain merozoites) => merozoites release (can either i. Attack othet enterocytes->trophozoites. ii. Male+female gamates-> unsporulated oocysts->shed in feces)

Question 3

Rabbit coccidiosis:

Bilary coccidiosis- Eimeria Stiedai

Answer 3

1-2 months old
1. Clinical signs: sub-clinical infection- no symptoms.
Otherwise: anorexia , digestion problems, polyuria, meteorism, jaundice.
2. Diagnosis: unsporulated oocysts in feces - NOT ENOUGH , large (37x,21 um) elliptical oocysts
3. Necroscopy: hepatomegaly, greyish yellow nodules in liver(cirrhosis) - i. Microscopic findings: smears from hepatic lesions filled with pus or caseous (gamonts+unsporulated oocysts) ii. Histological findings: bilary hyperplasia , choleangitis, , distention,gamonts, unsporulated oocysts.

Question 4

Rabbit coccidiosis:
Intestinal coccidiosis: Eimeria intestinalis , E. Flavescens
(Most pathogenic out of 10 sp.)

Answer 4

1-2 months old
1. Clinical signs: subclinical- no symptoms
Increased water consumption, anorexia, emaciation, mild to severe diarrhrea which may contain blood/mucous, DEATH in few days.
2. Diagnosis: detection unsporulated oocysts in feces with floatation method, OPG.
3. Necroscopy: cathrral/haemorragic enteritis, thickening of the mucous of the SMALL intestine (E. Intestinalis,Manga,Irresidua) or LARGE intestine (E. Flavescens, Piriformis), E. Magna: pinhead nodules in ileum. *Coccidian stages shown by scrapings.

Question 5

Pig coccidiosis:

Isospora suis

Answer 5

8-15 days old

1. Clinical signs: DIARRHREA, white to yellow coloured, pasty to watery consistency. -NEVER with blood!!!, Dehydration.
2. Detection of SPORULATED oocysts by flotation technique after sporulation (time), autofluresence microscopy inc. sensitivity.
   * I. Suis: sporulated oocysts spherical, 20 um, smooth oocyst wall: 2 sporocyst each containing 4 sporozoites
3. Necroscopy findings: lesion in SMALL intestine mucosa , scraping shows developmental stages.

Question 6

Carnivore coccidiosis

Answer 6

Young dogs and cats, mostly in crowded kennels, unhygienic conditions.
1. Clinical signs: mainly Sub-clinical with no symptoms.
Diarrhrea (1-2d in kittens;1-2 weeks in puppies), emaciation,anemia
2. Identification: unsporulated oocysts by floatation method.
*Cat: Isospora felis: oval oocyst (42 um) , I. Rivolta (26um)
*Dog: I. Canis (38 um), I. Ohioensis (25 um) , I. Burrowsi (20 um)
Needs to be distinguished from:
*Cat: Toxoplasma gondii, Hammondia hammondi (12 um) , sarcocystis spp.
*Dog: Neoplasma caninum, Hammondia hammondi, sarcocystis spp.
3. Necroscopy: cattheral or haemorragic enteritis, scrapings of small intestine