The life cycle of Eimeria danailovi from ducks

The life cycle of Eimeria danailovi Gräfner, Graubmann et Betke in experimentally infected ducks was studied by optical microscopy. The asexual generation developed in the posterior part of jejunum and in the whole ileum. The sexual stages occurred in jejunum and ileum, and, in addition, in cecum and colon. All endogenous stages were localized in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells in the apical and basal parts of villi. Two generations of meronts were found to develop, differing from one another in the number of merozoites. The meronts of the first generation were observed 2 days post infection (DPI) and contained 10-14 (on the average 11) merozoites. The second generation of meronts, containing 12-22 (on the average 16) merozoites, developed on 3 DPI. The sexual stages were found in histological preparations on 5 and 6 DPI. They appeared in the faces of experimentally infected ducks first on 5 DPI and they were shed for three days. Oocyst sporulation at room temperature lasted 2-3 days.