Preparation and purification of merozoites of Eimeria tenella

Second-generation merozoites of Eimeria tenella were obtained from both infected cecal tissue and infected chorioallantoic membranes of embryonated eggs. The merozoites were harvested from the tissue by incubation with hyaluronidase, yielding approximately 4 times 10(7) merozoites per cecum and 3 times 10(6) merozoites per chorioallantoic membrane. Subsequent purification of the merozoites by density centrifugation and glass bead filtration resulted in a 54% overall yield and a final preparation of approximately 95% purity. The viability of such preparations was established by inoculation of the merozoites to the ceca of chickens, resulting in oocyst production by 48 hr. This purification procedure allows for a rapid preparation of E. tenella during its second asexual stage in sufficient quantity and purity for biochemical study.