Immunization against coccidiosis in pheasants with low-dose live sporulated oocysts of Eimeria colchici

Abstract

Low-dose immunization of pheasants with live Eimeria colchici oocysts was observed to be effective against massive challenge infection. Fourteen-day-old pheasants, in groups of 28, were orally inoculated with about 100, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 sporulated oocysts. These birds were then challenged homologously with about 120 000 sporulated oocysts 18 days after the immunization. During the 12-day observation period after the challenge infection, over 92% of the immunized pheasants were still alive, but only 11% of the non-immunized control birds survived the challenge infection. Moreover, the number of oocysts produced after challenge infection of the immunized group was only 10 to 19% of the positive non-immunized control group. The crowding effect of E. colchici infection in pheasant was thought to occur based on the significant difference of the relationship between inoculation doses, daily oocysts excretion and the amount of the faeces discharged, as analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Our results showed that immunization of pheasants with a low dose of E. colchici oocysts is feasible to help protect the birds from massive homologous infection, which can be fatal.

Protective Effects of Sugar Cane Extracts (SCE) on Eimeria tenella Infection in Chickens

“…Hemorrhagic feces were observed from day 5 to day 7 post challenge. The total amount of feces was collected from all experimental groups from day 5 to day 7 after challenge for oocyst shedding determination [19]. The oocysts were diluted and counted microscopically in a plankton counter chamber.…”

“…Approximately 4 µm thick cross sections were excised and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) for histopathological examination [19]. Efficacy of SCE: Efficacy of SCE was evaluated on the basis of mortality, gain in body weight/day, degree of hemorrhagic feces, oocyst count/chicken, lesion scores, immune responses and RP of Bu-1a + and CD4 + in IL.…”

The Relationship Between the Anticoccidial Effects of Clindamycin and the Development of Immunity in the Eimeria pragensis/Mouse Model of Large Intestinal Coccidiosis

“…Histopathological examination was performed as follows: tissues from infectedmice were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, followed by the stratified dehydration in a series of alcohol and embedment in paraffin wax. Serial sections 4 µm thick were deparaffinized, rehydrated and stained with hematoxylin and eosin [15].…”

Safety evaluation of lasalocid use in farm-reared pheasants

“…Other methods such as immunization of pheasants using sub-lethal oral doses of E. colchici oocysts (33) or treatment of E. colchici oocysts with ozone to inhibit sporulation (34) have been demonstrated to reduce the severity of clinical disease under battery trials but the efficacy of these techniques as well as the cost considerations are unknown at this time.…”