Pathomorphological alterations associated with chicken coccidiosis in Jammu division of India

Abstract

Pathomorphological alterations of chicken coccidiosis in Jammu division were undertaken in both organized and backyard chickens during the year 2010-2011. A total 240 intestines were examined from both organized farms and backyard chickens for histopathological studies. Out of 240 samples processed, 48 samples were found to be positive for coccidiosis with a prevalence of 20 %. Coccidiosis was initially diagnosed on the basis of faecal examination and confirmed by the presence of sporulated oocysts and pathomorphological alterations in intestines. Eimeria species were identified by morphometry. Five Eimeria species identified were Eimeria tenella, E. necatrix, E. maxima, E. acervulina and E. mitis. Histopathological lesions revealed loss of epithelial tissue, congestion of blood vessels which indicate disruption followed by haemorrhage, severe muscular oedema and necrosis of submucosa of intestine and caecum. There was loss of intestinal villi, disruption of caecal mucosa and clusters of oocysts seen. There was massive infiltration by heterophils and mononuclear cells. Several merozoites, schizonts and microgametes were found in the epithelial cells.

Occurrence of Intestinal and Caecal Coccidiosis in Rajasri Birds

“…Pale comb and muscle were due to anemia which could be resulted by extensive blood loss. Similar gross lesions of intestinal and caecal coccidiosis in chicken were reported by Adamu et al (2013); Sharma et al (2015), histopathological findings showed presence of oocysts and shizont stages in the submucosa which is in accordance…”

“…The lesions of coccidiosis depend on the degree of inflammation and damage to the intestinal tract. Grossly extremely ballooned intestine and caeca, mucoid to blood tinged exudates, petechial hemorrhages, necrosis and hemorrhagic enteritis can be seen (Adamu et al, 2013;Sharma et al, 2015). The tissue damage in the intestinal tract may allow secondary colonization by various bacteria, such as Clostridium perfringens (Helmboldt and Bryant, 1971).…”

“…Infestation with E. tenella also increases the severity of Histomonas meleagridis infection in chickens (Mc Dougald and Hu, 2001). Microscopically, disruption of mucosa, clusters of developing and developed oocysts, marked haemorrhage, necrosis of the mucosa and massive infiltration by heterophils and mononuclear cells are characteristic (Amer et al, 2010;Sharma et al, 2015).…”

Probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens H57 ameliorates subclinical necrotic enteritis in broiler chicks by maintaining intestinal mucosal integrity and improving feed efficiency

“…Previous investigators have suggested that villus atrophy and fusion result from Eimeria spp. infections 4 to 5 D after exposure ( Witlock and Ruff, 1977 ; Williams, 2005 ; Sharma et al., 2015 ). In the present study, longer villi were found in Eimeria birds on day 11 after vaccine administration.…”

Molecular Characterization and Immune Protection of a New Conserved Hypothetical Protein of Eimeria tenella

“…necatrix are the most pathogenic species among the Eimeria spp. and they can all reside in cecal mucosa [ 23 ]. Whether this protein is related to the virulence or parasitic site of the parasite needs to be further researched.…”