Eimeria Flashcards
What can cause coccidiosis?
*Eimeria
*Isospora
How does Eimeria spp spread?
*Faeco-oral
What are the species of avian coccidiosis in chickens?
7 - can cause disease - if immune to one doesn’t mean immunity to all
*Eimeria tenella
*E. necatrix
*E. brunetti
*E. maxima
*E. acervulina
*E. mitis
*E. praecox
What are the species of avian coccidiosis in turkeys?
*Eimeria meleangrimitis
*E. adenoides
What is the life cycle of Eimeria?
Direct - faeco-oral
1. Unsporulated oocyst passed in faeces
2. Sporulation - temp dependent 1-2days
3. Infection due to ingestion + schizogony - asexual division
4. Gametogony - sexual division = macrogamete (female) + microgamete (male)
Why are broilers more vulnerable to disease?
*Younger = naive, highly susceptible to exposure
Why are free range birds more vulnerable to disease?
*More exposure from parasites in the soil + wild bird reservoir
What is the infective stage of eimeria?
Sporulated oocyst - each have 4 sporocyst which have 2 sporozoites
What size are eimeria oocysts?
*20-30um
What occurs after infection of eimeria?
*Develop good immunity from natural infection
How is Eimeria diagnosed?
*Clinical signs - diarrhoea +/- blood
*Post mortem - shizonts + merozoites
*Drop in FCR
What is the pathogenesis of Eimeria?
*Severity depends on parasite density
*Damages epithelial cells
*Heavy infection = haemorrhage
*Lighter infections = impairs gut absorption = diarrhoea
How is Eimeria infection controlled/ prevented?
*Coccidiostat
- decoquinate
-Narasin
*Hygiene
*Vaccination - Paracox
How is Eimeria infection treated?
*Toltrazuril
*Diclazuril
What is the difference between Eimeria + Isospora oocysts?
*Eimeria = 4 sporocysts - 2 sporozoites each
*Isospora = 2 sporocysts - 4 sporozoites each
What age of chickens does Eimeria affect?
3-6weeks old
What age of sheep does eimeria affect?
*2-3months
What are the most pathogenic species of Eimeria in sheep?
*E. crandalis
*E. ovinoidalis
What are the clinical signs of Eimeria in sheep?
*Diarrhoea
*Dehydration
*Abdominal pain
*Anorexia
How is Eimeria diagnosed in sheep + cattle?
*History
*Clinical signs
*Oocyst in faeces
What age of cattle does Eimeria affect?
*<1year old
What are the 2 most pathogenic species of Eimeria in cattle?
*E. zuernii
*E. bovis
What are clinical signs of Eimeria in cattle?
*Dysentery
*Diarrhoea
*Dehydration
What can be used to treat coccidiosis in cattle?
*Sulphonamides
*Monesin
*decoquinate
What causes coccidiosis in Pigs?
Isospora suis - high morbidity, low mortality
How is coccidiosis on pigs diagnosed?
HARD
-Post mortem
What does coccidiosis cause in Rabbits?
*Wasting
*Diarrhoea
*Jaundice
How is coccidiosis in rabbits diagnosed?
*Post mortem
*Oocyst in faeces
