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Necrotic enteritis in chickens: development of a straightforward disease model system
A A Alnassan1, M Kotsch2, A A Shehata2
1Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Centre for Infectious Diseases, University Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 35, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
The Veterinary Record
|April 10, 2014
Summary
Necrotic enteritis (NE) in chickens is worsened by coinfection with Eimeria species, particularly Eimeria tenella and Eimeria brunetti. This study presents a suitable model for investigating NE pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Avian pathology
- Parasitology
- Bacterial pathogenesis
Background:
- Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a significant enteric disease in poultry.
- Eimeria species are known causes of coccidiosis, impacting gut health.
- The synergistic effects of Eimeria and Clostridium perfringens on NE require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interactive effects of Eimeria species and Clostridium perfringens in broiler chickens.
- To establish a reliable experimental model for studying necrotic enteritis.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted using 120-day-old broilers, with groups infected with specific Eimeria species and/or Clostridium perfringens.
- Parameters monitored included body weight, feed intake, mortality, clinical signs, oocyst excretion, bacterial counts, and lesion scores.
- Specific Eimeria species used were Eimeria maxima, Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria tenella, and Eimeria brunetti.
Main Results:
- Coinfection with Eimeria species and Clostridium perfringens exacerbated NE clinical signs and lesions.
- Coccidiosis-specific lesions were most severe in coinfected groups, particularly with Eimeria tenella.
- Necrotic enteritis lesions were more pronounced in coinfected chickens compared to those infected solely with Clostridium perfringens.
Conclusions:
- Coinfection with Eimeria species significantly aggravates necrotic enteritis in chickens.
- The model using Eimeria tenella and Eimeria brunetti followed by Clostridium perfringens inoculation is effective for NE research.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing effective control strategies against poultry enteric diseases.
