Coccidiosis in rabbits in a subtropical hilly region

Biochemical and Pathomorphological Investigations on Rabbits with Experimentally Induced Hepatic Eimeriosis

The present study aimed to evaluate the changes in concentrations of some biochemical parameters, as well as macro and microscopic alterations during Eimeria stiedae infection in rabbits. The experiment was performed using 12 three-month-old healthy rabbits, randomly allocated into 2 equal groups: G1 (controls, uninfected animals) and G2 (rabbits infected with E. stiedae). Blood samples were collected at time zero (prior to the infection), 6th, 24th, and 48th hours, and also 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th days after the infection. After sampling, the blood was centrifuged, plasma was separated and frozen at −20 ºC until analyzed. Thawed plasma was used for the quantitative determination of haptoglobin (Hp), total protein (TP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol (TC), total bilirubin (TBIL), urea, and creatinine (CREA). The results in infected rabbits revealed a significant increase in Hp, AST, ALT, GGT, TBIL, and TC levels, as well as a significant decrease in ALP and urea. A weak hyperproteinemia was also observed. There were no changes in CREA concentration. At the end of the clinical investigation, all rabbits were humanely euthanized and necropsied. The post-mortem examination of the infected group revealed hepatomegaly, multifocal yellowish nodules diffusely spread over the liver surface and in the parenchyma, considerably dilated bile ducts, and biliary hyperplasia. Given the results obtained from this experiment, it can be affirmed that hepatic eimeriosis in rabbits is a severe parasitic disease leading to significant disturbances of liver histology and resulting changes in the biochemical profile of infected rabbits.

Short communication: prevalence of Eimeria spp. infection in domestic rabbits of Polish farms

<p>The studies were carried out on 14 farms which deals with meat race of rabbits breeding. The basic herds had from 14 to 85 rabbits. The studies were carried  on West Pomerania ( near Chojna) and warmińsko-mazurskie province (near Elbląg). Faecal samples were collected from examined animals and quali-quantitatively analysed to evaluate presence and number of Eimeria oocysts. In addition, isolated Eimeria oocysts were identified at the species level following sporulation. The study was based on two flotation methods:Willis-Schlaaf for qualitative and McMaster for quantitative analysis, which helped to establish the number of oocysts in 1g of feces (OPG). Ten species of coccidian were found in which 9 were intestinal (<em>E. exigua</em>, <em>E. perforans</em>, <em>E. media</em>, <em>E. magna</em>, <em>E. irresidua</em>, <em>E. coecicola</em>, <em>E. flavescens</em>, <em>E. piriformis</em>, <em>E. intestinalis</em>) and one was living in liver (<em>E. stiedai</em>).The dynamics of coccidia infection in the annual cycle showed large fluctuations. The OPG coefficient reached its maximum in mid-May at 21 100 oocyst / g. Exact knowledge of the biology of protozoan <em>Eimeria</em> will contribute to the development of prevention programs that stop the spread of the disease in rabbits.</p>

INTENSITY OF INVASION IN EMERIOSIS OF RABBITS IN DIFFERENT METHODS OF KEEPING

One of the important problems in raising rabbits is eimeriosis, regardless of the method of maintenance. The disease affects animals of all ages, causing weight loss, feed conversion, morbidity and death. The aim. Study of the prevalence and diagnosis of rabbit eimeriosis by different housing technology to improve methods of disease control. Methods. The experiment was conducted during 2017–2019 in farms with different capacities in four regions of Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Kharkiv and Sumy. A total of 20 farms for keeping rabbits of different breeds were surveyed. Results. Studies of rabbit farms on business and private ones found that the most common infestation was with the following species of eimeria: Eimeria perforans, E magna, E. media, E. irresidua, E. piriforms and E. іntestinalis. It is proved that the extensiveness of rabbit infestation when kept in farms in metal cages, under the conditions of sanitary and hygienic regime and timely disinvasion of premises, was in the range of 42–15 % in autumn-winter period, and 19–6 % in spring-summer. According to the survey of homestead farms, rabbits kept in wooden cages on deep litter, the level of invasion in the autumn-winter period was 100–56 % and in the spring-summer – 70–29 %. Conclusions. Keeping rabbits in metal cages in compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards and timely disinvasion reduces the level of extensiveness of the invasion.

DEVELOPMENT OF PREVENTING MEANS FOR RABBITS’ COCCIDIOSIS

The great problem of rabbits breeding today is coccidiosis. An agent of the disease spreads not only through ill animals and is preserved well in the external environment. Oocysts of coccidia live in cells for a long time, so even temporal vacation of an accommodation between placing of rabbits doesn’t prevent infection. It was experimentally proved, that there is a very limited spectrum of means that are coccidiostatics. For preventing and controlling rabbits’ eimeriosis, coccidiostatic means were tested. It is very difficult to annihilate coccidia in vivo and in vitro because of peculiarities of their construction. The aim of the first experiment was to determine the influence of an acidifier Cronocyde L and its components on oocysts of coccidia that allows to determine an optimal composition and concentration of the preparation. At conducting the research, there was used the flotation method of Fulleborn and McMaster one for calculating oocysts. The aim of the second experiment was to determine the influence of the acidifier Cronocyde L standard and Cronocyde L concentrate (1 ml/1l of water) on the intensity of the living mass increment in rabbits. For that there were used clinical, hematological, zootechnical and microscopic methods. Optimal results in the experiment were obtained at using Cronocyde L concentrate and Cronocyde L standard in concentration 0,1 %: maximal growth and health status of rabbits, biochemical indices of blood serum were within the physiological norm. It testifies to the effectiveness of this preparation at eimeriosis of rabbits and to harmlessness for them. The studies, realized under laboratory conditions, prove the effectiveness of the offered means.

Prevalence of coccidian infection in rabbit farms in North Algeria

Aim:

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of rabbit coccidiosis (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in North Algeria.

Materials and Methods:

During the study, 40 rabbit farms were investigated. The farms are located in the provinces of Tizi Ouzou, Médéa, and Djelfa which distributed, respectively, into three regions: East Tell Atlas Mountains, Central Tell Atlas Mountains, and High Plateaus. The number of oocyst per gram of feces (OPG) was determined by McMaster technique, and the Eimeria species were identified using morphological criteria.

Results:

In the farms investigated, the prevalence of coccidian infection was estimated to 90% (80.7-99.3%) in rabbits after weaning. The classification of the farms according to their parasite load allowed us to show that 37.5% of the prospective farms have an oocyst excretion between 10⁴ and 5×10⁴ oocysts per gram and 22.5% excrete >5×10⁴ oocysts per gram. Excretion levels by region show that the region of East Tel Atlas Mountains ranks first with 79% of farms with a parasitic load >10⁴ coccidians compared to the regions of Central Tel Atlas Mountains and High Plateaus. In total, eight species of Eimeria were identified from oocyst-positive samples. Mixed infections with four Eimeria species were common. E. magna is the dominant species in comparison with E. media and E. irresidua with respective frequencies of 42.5% and 17.6% and 14.9% (p<0.001). Our results showed that the farms using anticoccidial drugs for their rabbits were low (25%) and the percentage of farms with poor hygienic conditions was 65%. There was a significant association between increased oocysts excretion and control measures of coccidian infection.

Conclusion:

The study revealed an overall prevalence of 90% in the three Algerian regions. A strong association was observed between Eimeria infection and hygienic status and preventional chemotherapy.

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

There are no anticoccidial drugs labelled for rabbits in Kenya and those available are used as extra labels from poultry. The drugs are used in rabbits with limited knowledge of their efficacy and safety. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of sulphachloropyrazine, amprolium hydrochloride, and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole relative to diclazuril when used curatively against experimental and natural rabbit coccidiosis. In a controlled laboratory trial, sixty (60) rabbits were randomly allocated to six treatment groups, namely, 1A, 2B, 3C, 4D, 5E, and 6F, each with 10 rabbits. Groups 2B, 3C, 4D, 5E, and 6F were experimentally infected with mixed Eimeria species while group 1A served as uninfected-untreated (negative) control group. Four of the infected groups were treated with sulphachloropyrazine (5E), amprolium hydrochloride (2B), trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (6F), and diclazuril (4D) using dosages recommended by manufacturers. Group 3C served as infected-untreated (positive) control. A field efficacy trial in naturally infected rabbits was then undertaken. The results revealed that sulphachloropyrazine and diclazuril were effective against rabbit clinical coccidiosis by significantly reducing oocyst counts from 149.00±110.39 x 10⁴ to 3.31±0.86 x 10⁴ Eimeria spp. oocysts per gram of feces (opg) and 59.70±12.35 x 10⁴ to 0.0±0.0 x 10⁴ opg, respectively, in the laboratory trial. Similarly, sulphachloropyrazine and diclazuril recorded reduced oocyst counts in the field trial from 280.33±44.67 x 10³ to 0.44±0.14 x 10³ opg and 473.44±176.01 x 10³ to 0.0±0.0 x 10³ opg, respectively. Still, sulphachloropyrazine and diclazuril showed superior efficacy by registering lesion scores and fecal scores close to those of uninfected untreated control group. Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole recorded a satisfactory efficacy in the field trial by recording reduced oocyst counts from 266.78±37.03 x 10³ to 0.75±0.11 x 10³ opg but was not efficacious in the laboratory trial. Amprolium hydrochloride was not efficacious against clinical coccidiosis in both the experimental and field trials.