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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assays for the Species-specific Detection of Eimeria that Infect Chickens
Published on: February 20, 2015
Microelements in the circulation of coccidiosis-infected chicks
Abstract:
Four-week-old Single Comb White Leghorn male chicks were inoculated with either Eimeria acervulina, E. necatrix, E. brunetti, E. tenella, or left uninfected. On Days 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 21, 28, and 35 after inoculation, blood was removed from five birds in each group; content of copper, zinc, and iron in plasma and total iron-binding capacity were determined. Copper content in plasma was increased during the acute phase of the infections by lower intestinal tract (E. brunetti, E. tenella) infections but not by upper tract (E. acervulina, E. necatrix) infections. Zinc content in plasma was decreased by E. acervulina and E. necatrix infections on the 7th day and was increased by E. acervulina, E. brunetti, and E. tenella infections on the 9th or 10th days. Iron content in plasma was decreased during the acute phase (Days 5 to 7) of E. acervulina, E. brunetti, and E. tenella infections. Total iron-binding capacity was decreased by acute phase E. acervulina and E. brunetti infections. Eimeria tenella infections increased total iron-binding capacity during both the acute and early recovery phases. Plasma content of all components returned to normal by the latter part of the recovery phase of the infections and remained so thereafter. Plasma trace mineral content appeared to be influenced by mineral absorption effects, by hemorrhaging, and perhaps by invasion of the bloodstream by gut bacteria as a result of mucosal damage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Insights
This study investigated how Eimeria infections affect trace minerals in young chickens. Eimeria infections altered plasma copper, zinc, and iron levels, with effects varying by Eimeria species and infection phase.
Area of Science:
- Poultry Science
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Animal Nutrition
Background:
- Eimeria species are significant protozoan parasites causing coccidiosis in poultry.
- Coccidiosis can lead to reduced growth, poor feed conversion, and increased mortality in chickens.
- Trace mineral metabolism is crucial for host defense and recovery from parasitic infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of different Eimeria species on plasma trace mineral (copper, zinc, iron) and total iron-binding capacity in young chickens.
- To determine the temporal dynamics of these changes during acute and recovery phases of infection.
- To correlate observed changes with specific Eimeria species and their intestinal location.
Main Methods:
- Four-week-old Single Comb White Leghorn male chicks were inoculated with Eimeria acervulina, E. necatrix, E. brunetti, or E. tenella.
- Control groups were left uninfected.
- Plasma samples were collected at multiple time points post-inoculation (Days 1-35) for analysis of copper, zinc, iron, and total iron-binding capacity.
Main Results:
- Plasma copper increased with lower intestinal tract infections (E. brunetti, E. tenella) but not upper tract infections (E. acervulina, E. necatrix).
- Plasma zinc showed transient decreases and subsequent increases depending on the Eimeria species and day post-infection.
- Plasma iron decreased during the acute phase of E. acervulina, E. brunetti, and E. tenella infections, while total iron-binding capacity was reduced by E. acervulina and E. brunetti but increased by E. tenella.
Conclusions:
- Eimeria infections significantly alter plasma trace mineral profiles in chickens, with species-specific variations.
- Changes in copper, zinc, and iron are influenced by the site of intestinal invasion, hemorrhaging, and potential bacterial translocation.
- Plasma trace mineral levels generally returned to normal by the late recovery phase, indicating host adaptive responses.
