Pathobiology of cryptosporidiosis (C. baileyi) in broiler chickens

Pathologic and clinicopathologic changes were examined in broiler chickens inoculated with Cryptosporidium baileyi (Cb) alone or in combination with infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) or Escherichia coli (Ec). Concurrent infections with Cb and either IBV or Ec resulted in a greater respiratory inflammatory response than either agent given alone. Concurrent Cb, IBV or Ec infections resulted in a decreased density of respiratory cryptosporidial stages. No interactions between Cb and IBDV were observed. Clinicopathologic results in broiler chicks exhibiting signs of respiratory cryptosporidiosis indicated that pO2 decreased, pCO2 increased, HCO3 increased and CO2 increased. Changes in blood gases and serum electrolyte values correlated with signs of acute respiratory disease. Blood gases and serum electrolyte values were unchanged in birds with bursal and cloacal infections only. Results of these studies clarified pathogenetic events associated with avian respiratory cryptosporidiosis, and demonstrated that cryptosporidiosis may enhance the severity of respiratory disease caused by other avian pathogens.