Oocyst excretion pattern of three intestinal Eimeria species in female rabbits

Abstract

The dynamic change in faecal Eimeria oocyst excretion was evaluated in 10 naturally infected female rabbits, starting from their weaning at 33 d of age until about 1 mo after their second parturition. Faecal samples collected from examined animals were quali-quantitatively analysed to evaluate presence and number of Eimeria oocysts. In addition, isolated Eimeria oocysts were identified at the species level following sporulation. Animals were found to be infected by Eimeria perforans, Eimeria exigua and Eimeria magna and shed Eimeria oocysts after weaning and after parturition. In particular, at 33 d of age all female rabbits examined were negative, while the discharge of Eimeria oocysts started at 39 th day of age and peaked between 46 th and 53 rd day of age. From 81-109 d of age until the first parturition and from 25 d of age of the litters born at the first parturition to the second parturition, all animals resulted negative. After parturition, Eimeria oocyst output occurred from 6 th to 12 th day after the first parturition and from 7 th to 13 th day after the second parturition, while a second period of oocyst excretion was observed from 18 th to 24 th day after both parturitions. These findings may indicate the existence of a relationship between the periparturient phase and Eimeria oocyst output and suggest an important role of the mothers in transmission of the infection to their litters.

Efficacy of Sulphachloropyrazine, Amprolium Hydrochloride, Trimethoprim-Sulphamethoxazole, and Diclazuril against Experimental and Natural Rabbit Coccidiosis

“…This is in concurrence with an earlier experimentally induced coccidiosis study [29] and other studies for hepatic [2, 22] and intestinal coccidiosis [23, 32]. In agreement with Al-Naimi [22], jaundice was only seen in very severe cases.…”

Prevalence of Rabbit Coccidia in Medea Province, Algeria.

“…Due to the importance of the disease there is a continuous use of coccidiostat sat farm level but in spite of this the prevalence of coccidiosis is still high. This may be explained by maternal transmission of coccidiosis to young rabbits (Henneb and Aissi, 2013;Papeschi et al, 2013). Furthermore, in rabbit breeding, therapy should concern not only the young rabbits but also the nursing females mainly during the week preceding weaning where the contamination from mother to young rabbits takes place (Pakandl and Hlálsková, 2007).…”

Prevalence, pathology and risk factors for coccidiosis in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in selected regions in Kenya

“…First, na€ ıve rabbits are more susceptible to infection from adult carriers especially after weaning (Pakandl et al 2008;Papeschi et al 2013) and since most rabbit keepers in Kenya (50.8%) mainly housed their rabbits in groups, housing and husbandry practices are likely risk factors. Second, weaning stress has been reported to lower immunity of rabbits to infection (Papeschi et al 2013). In this regard, ingestion of coccidian contaminated solid feed during weaning period may raise the intensity of infection for the weaners.…”

“…The condition in domestic rabbits occurs either in the intestines (intestinal coccidiosis) or liver (hepatic coccidiosis) and mainly in young rabbits (Coudert et al 1995;Pakandl et al 2008;Papeschi et al 2013) and rabbits housed in poor environmental sanitation and poor hygienic practices (Gonz alez-Redondo et al 2008). Depending on the clinical symptoms including weight loss, diarrhea and subsequent mortality, intestinal coccidian species can be classified into three types.…”