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Published on: February 14, 2020
Experimental Infection with Sporulated Oocysts of Eimeria maxima (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in Broiler
Luciana da S Brito1, Elder N Pereira1, Augusta A da Silva1
1Anatomy Laboratory, Institute of Biotechnology and Health, Federal University of Amazonas, Road Coari/Mamia, n° 305, 69460-000 Coari, AM, Brazil.
Abstract:
Through this study we assessed the metabolic and pathological changes in broilers experimentally infected with oocysts of Eimeria maxima. To perform the experiment, we used 150 broiler strain cooB males, with ten days of age, were randomized according to weight and randomly assigned to two experimental groups: the control group was inoculated with 0.5 mL of distilled water; the infected group inoculated with 0.5 mL of solution containing 5 × 10(4) sporulated oocysts of Eimeria maxima. The live performance was evaluated on day 0 (day of inoculation), 5°, 10°, 15°, 25°, and 35° dpi, being slaughtered by cervical dislocation, fifteen birds/group. Although the sum in meat production was higher in the control group, the weight of the heart and gizzard of the experimental animals showed no significant difference, while the liver had difference on day 5°, 15°, and 35° dpi. The pathologic evaluation showed congested mucosa and presence of large amounts of mucus at 6 dpi. Therefore, it is concluded that the dose of 5 × 10(4) E. maxima inoculated in the experimental group was enough to cause harm to the animal organism.
Insights
Eimeria maxima infection in broilers significantly impacted liver health and caused pathological changes, demonstrating the harm caused by a dose of 5 × 10^4 oocysts.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Avian Pathology
- Animal Science
Background:
- Eimeria maxima is a significant protozoan parasite causing coccidiosis in poultry.
- Coccidiosis leads to substantial economic losses in the broiler industry due to reduced performance and increased mortality.
- Understanding the specific pathological and metabolic effects of Eimeria maxima is crucial for effective disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the metabolic and pathological alterations in broiler chickens experimentally infected with Eimeria maxima.
- To evaluate the impact of a specific Eimeria maxima oocyst dose on broiler health and performance.
- To identify key pathological findings associated with Eimeria maxima infection in broilers.
Main Methods:
- 150 ten-day-old broiler males were divided into control and infected groups.
- The infected group received 5 × 10^4 sporulated Eimeria maxima oocysts.
- Live performance, organ weights (heart, gizzard, liver), and pathological changes were assessed at multiple time points post-inoculation (dpi).
Main Results:
- While total meat production was higher in the control group, heart and gizzard weights showed no significant difference between groups.
- The liver exhibited significant differences in weight on days 5°, 15°, and 35° dpi in the infected group.
- Pathological evaluation at 6 dpi revealed mucosal congestion and excessive mucus production in infected birds.
Conclusions:
- The experimental dose of 5 × 10^4 Eimeria maxima oocysts was sufficient to induce detrimental effects in broiler chickens.
- Eimeria maxima infection significantly impacts broiler liver metabolism and causes distinct pathological changes.
- These findings highlight the pathogenicity of Eimeria maxima and the need for control strategies in broiler farming.
