Eimeria mitis in mixed infections with E. acervulina and E. brunetti in the fowl

Eimeria mitis and E. acervulina affect different areas of the intestine. Young chicks received E. mitis with or without E. acervulina in doses ranging from 2 to 128 X 10(4) oocysts. Mixed infections produced significantly more severe effects on growth than single infections of either species. The ratio of villus height to total mucosal thickness was reduced throughout the intestine in birds which received the mixed infection. E. mitis and E. brunetti affect the same area of the intestine. Single infections of E. brunetti in a range of doses from 1 . 25 to 20 X 10(3) oocysts produced a similar reduction in growth. When 20 X 10(3) oocysts of E. mitis were inoculated simultaneously, the effect on growth was not so severe and the oocyst output of both species was reduced. E. brunetti, superimposed 1, 2 or 3 days after an E. mitis infection, produced no greater effect on growth than E. mitis alone. Similarly, infections of E. mitis, superimposed on E. brunetti had no greater effect on growth than the latter species alone. Oocyst output of E. brunetti in superimposed infections was not reduced but peak output was delayed.