Anticoccidial effects of Galla rhois (GR) extract were evaluated in chickens after oral infection with Eimeria tenella. This study was performed using 3-day-old chickens (n=30). The animals were divided into 3 groups as follows: GR 0.5%/infected (n=10), untreated/infected (n=10), and non-infected control (n=10). The chickens were fed a standard diet supplemented with or without GR for 1 week before infection with E. tenella (10,000 sporulated oocysts per chicken). The effects of GR on E. tenella infection were assessed by 2 parameters, number of fecal oocysts and body weight gain, and the results of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The GR-fed chickens produced significantly lower number of fecal oocysts (P<0.05) than the E. tenella-infected chickens who were fed the standard diet. In addition, GR-based diet improved the loss of body weight caused by E. tenella infection. Positive findings of PCR were identified by distinct bands in the samples of E. tenella-inoculated chickens. However, PCR analysis revealed no E. tenella oocysts in the feces of GR-fed chickens. Our data showed that GR extracts had remarkable anticoccidial activities against E. tenella. This finding might have implications for the development of novel anticoccidial drugs.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Chickens ; Coccidiosis ; Diet ; Eimeria ; Eimeria tenella ; Feces ; Oocysts ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

During experimental Eimeria infections in chickens, facilities are often contaminated by fecal oocysts known to be highly resistant to both chemical and enzymatic treatments. Thus, studies using experimental Eimeria infections have been limited due to the difficulty of complete elimination of residual oocysts from both cages and facilities. To overcome this limitation, simple, inexpensive, and disposable cages were constructed from cardboard boxes and tested during experimental Eimeria maxima infections. The cages were used in animal rooms with only a 1.7% evidence of coccidia contamination between adjacent cages. No significant differences in fecal oocyst output and body weight gain were noted between animals housed in disposable cages and animals housed in wire control cages. This cage design is a useful means for preventing oocyst contamination during experimental conditions, suggesting that this disposable cage design could be used for other avian infectious disease studies.
Animals ; Chickens ; Coccidiosis/transmission/*veterinary ; Disposable Equipment/*utilization ; Eimeria/*isolation & purification ; *Environmental Microbiology

The present study was designed to assess the dynamic patterns of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, acute phase protein (α1-acid-glycoprotein, AGP), and an inflammation associated factor (adenosine deaminase; ADA) following experimental caprine coccidiosis. Ten kids aging from 2 to 4 months were infected orally with 5×104 sporulated oocysts and 10 animals served as controls. Blood samples were collected in both groups before infection and at days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 post-infection (PI), and the levels of above-mentioned factors were measured. IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, AGP, and ADA activities were significantly higher in infected animals from day 7 PI (P<0.05). In conclusion, the circulatory levels of most systemic inflammatory markers, including pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6), AGP, and ADA increased significantly starting from day 3 to day 7 PI in caprine coccidiosis.
Acute-Phase Proteins ; Aging ; Animals ; Coccidiosis* ; Cytokines ; Immunity, Innate* ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-6 ; Oocysts

The aim of this study was to identify antigens for a vaccine or drug target to control rabbit coccidiosis. A combination of 2-dimensional electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and mass spectrometric analysis were used to identify novel antigens from the sporozoites of Eimeria stiedae. Protein spots were recognized by the sera of New Zealand rabbits infected artificially with E. stiedae. The proteins were characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS) analysis in combination with bioinformatics. Approximately 868 protein spots were detected by silver-staining, and a total of 41 immunoreactive protein spots were recognized by anti-E. stiedae sera. Finally, 23 protein spots were successfully identified. The proteins such as heat shock protein 70 and aspartyl protease may have potential as immunodiagnostic or vaccine antigens. The immunoreactive proteins were found to possess a wide range of biological functions. This study is the first to report the proteins recognized by sera of infected rabbits with E. stiedae, which might be helpful in identifying potential targets for vaccine development to control rabbit coccidiosis.
Coccidiosis* ; Computational Biology ; Eimeria ; Electrophoresis ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; Immunoblotting ; Mass Spectrometry ; Rabbits ; Sporozoites

Bovine coccidiosis is one of the most important parasitic diseases affecting calf productivity. Here, we investigated the prevalence of Eimeria spp. in pre-weaned native Korean calves and determined the correlation between diarrhea and Eimeria spp. Fecal samples were collected from individual calves (288 normal and 191 diarrheic) in 6 different farms. Of the 479 samples, Eimeria oocysts were detected in 124 calves (25.9%). Five Eimeria spp. were identified; E. zuernii (18.8%) was the most prevalent, followed by E. auburnensis (12.5%), E. bovis (7.5%), E. subspherica (5.8%), and E. bukidnonensis (1.0%). A significant correlation was observed between diarrhea and mixed infection with more than 2 Eimeria spp. (odds ratio [OR]=2.21; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–4.49; P=0.03) compared to single infection (OR=1.29; 95% CI: 0.77–2.15; P=0.33). Of the 5 Eimeria spp. identified, E. subspherica (95% CI: 1.24–5.61; P=0.01) and E. bukidnonensis (95% CI: 825.08–1,134.25; P=0.00) strongly increased the risk of diarrhea by 2.64-fold and 967.39–fold, respectively, compared to other species. Moreover, mixed infection with E. auburnensis and E. bukidnonensis was significantly associated with diarrhea (OR=2,388.48; 95% CI: 1,009.71–5,650.00; P < 0.00) in pre-weaned native Korean calves. This is the first report to demonstrate the importance of E. bukidnonensis associated with diarrhea in pre-weaned native Korean calves. Further epidemiological studies should investigate the prevalence of E. bukidnonensis and the association between E. bukidnonensis and diarrhea.
Agriculture ; Coccidiosis ; Coinfection ; Diarrhea ; Efficiency ; Eimeria ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Oocysts ; Parasitic Diseases ; Prevalence

Eimeria (E.) tenella (local isolate) sporozoites were adapted on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of 10-12 days chicken embryos and completed its life cycle in 6~7 days at 39 degrees C and 70 per cent humidity. Only 23 embryos (4.6%) were found dead from 1~4 day post inoculation of sporozoites with mild lesions on CAM with no gametocytes but few sporozoites in chorioallantoic fluid (CAF). On 5~7 day post inoculation, 432 embryos (86.4%) were found dead with severe haemorrhages on CAM and CAF contained uncountable number of gametocytes. After seven days post inoculation, 45 embryos (9%) were found to be alive. Some oocysts were also detected in the CAF on 6~7 days post inoculation. In the histological sections of the CAM, there were abundant small dark colored rounded bodies of gametes; distributed extensively in tissues of CAM on 5~7 days post inoculation of sporozoites. In some cases, cluster of small mature and immature relatively large bodies were seen in increasing numbers on 5~6 days post inoculation.
Animals ; Chick Embryo ; *Chickens ; Chorioallantoic Membrane/*parasitology ; Coccidiosis/parasitology/*veterinary ; Eimeria tenella/*growth&development ; Histocytochemistry ; Poultry Diseases/*parasitology

Cell culture systems for the protozoan Eimeria are not yet available. The present study was conducted to develop an animal model system by inoculating animals with a live Eimeria vaccine. This study was conducted on 3-day-old chickens (n = 20) pretreated with cyclophosphamide. The chickens were divided into 2 groups: the control group (n = 10) and the inoculated group that received the live Eimeria vaccine (n = 10). During the study period, we compared the clinical signs, changes in body weight, and number of oocysts shed in the feces of the control and inoculated group. This study showed that oocyst shedding was significantly higher in the chickens inoculated with live Eimeria oocysts than in the control chickens. Moreover, body weight gain was lesser in the animals in the inoculated group than in the control animals. Fecal oocyst shedding was observed in the inoculated animals. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that live Eimeria vaccination with cyclophosphamide pretreatment may be used to obtain an effective animal model for studying protozoan infections. This animal study model may eliminate the need for a tedious continuous animal inoculation process every 6 months because the live coccidiosis vaccine contains live oocysts.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Chickens ; Coccidiosis ; Cyclophosphamide ; Eimeria ; Feces ; Models, Animal ; Oocysts ; Protozoan Infections ; Vaccination

Coccidiosis is a ubiquitous intestinal protozoan infection of poultry seriously impairing the growth and feed utilization of infected animals. Conventional disease control strategies have relied on prophylactic medication. Due to the continual emergence of drug resistant parasites in the field and increasing incidence of broiler condemnations due to coccidia, novel approaches are urgently needed to reduce economic losses. Understanding the basic biology of host-parasite interactions and protective intestinal immune mechanisms, as well as characterization of host and parasite genes and proteins involved in eliciting protective host responses are crucial for the development of new control strategy. This review will highlight recent developments in coccidiosis research with special emphasis on the utilization of cutting edge techniques in molecular/cell biology, immunology, and functional genomics in coccidia vaccine development. The information will enhance our understanding of host-parasite biology, mucosal immunology, and host and parasite genomics in the development of a practical and effective control strategy against Eimeria and design of nutritional interventions to maximize growth under the stress caused by vaccination or infection. Furthermore, successful identification of quantitative economic traits associated with disease resistance to coccidiosis will provide poultry breeders with a novel selection strategy for development of genetically stable, coccidiosis-resistant chickens, thereby increasing the production efficiency.
Animals ; Biotechnology/methods ; Chickens ; Coccidiosis/prevention&control/*veterinary ; Eimeria/*immunology ; Poultry Diseases/parasitology/*prevention&control ; *Protozoan Vaccines

Anti-coccidial effects of the fruits of Tribulus terrestris (Tribuli fructus) ethanol extract (TTE) were studied with animal experiment following per oral administration with Eimeria (E.) tenella. This experiment was performed on the 3-day-old chicks (n=30). The animals were divided with 3 groups; TFE 15mg per animal+infected (n=10), TTE untreated+infected (n=10) and non-infected control (n=10). Animals were administrated with or without TTE during 1 week, and then inoculated with E. tenella. The anti-coccidial activity were evaluated with oocysts shedding numbers in stools, body weights changes and food intake changes. The TTE-inoclated animals revealed significantly decreased stool oocysts numbers (P < 0.05) when compared to the TTE untreated animals. Also, TTE-treated animals showed more increased body weight gains (P < 0.05) than the TTE untreated animals. These results demonstrate that TTE produce anticoccidial activities against E. tenella. TTE could be a promising treatment for the coccidiosis.
Administration, Oral ; Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Coccidiosis ; Eating ; Eimeria tenella* ; Eimeria* ; Ethanol* ; Fruit* ; Oocysts ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Tribulus*

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and to identify risk factors associated with Neospora spp. infection in horses in Jordan. Management related data were collected from each farm and individual horses. Sera from 227 horses from 5 of 6 climatic regions in Jordan were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to Neospora spp. by ELISA kit. The study was performed during spring of 2010. The association between seropositivity and risk factors was analyzed. A total of 7 (3%) of 227 sera had antibodies for Neospora spp. There was a significant regional difference (P=0.018) between the 5 climatic regions. Positive cases were located in Amman and Irbid, while the other regions (Zarqa, Jordan Valley, and Wadi Mousa) had zero prevalence. The use of anthelmintics at least once a year resulted in a significant reduction of the seroprevalence to Neospora spp. (1.6% vs 9.8%). However, this might be a phenomenon by chance and a better hygiene since owners can invest in anthelmintics. Other risk factors such as age, gender, breed, usage, body condition score, grazing, presence of other animals mixed with the horses in the same property, and a history of previous diseases were not significantly associated with the seroprevalence to Neospora spp. infection. This is the first study to report on the presence of Neospora seropositive horses in Jordan. Further studies are warranted to better understand the role of certain risk factors in the transmission of Neospora spp. among horse population and to determine which Neospora spp. are responsible for the infection.
Animals ; Antibodies, Protozoan/*blood ; Asymptomatic Diseases/epidemiology ; Coccidiosis/blood/epidemiology/*veterinary ; Female ; Horse Diseases/blood/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Horses ; Jordan/epidemiology ; Male ; Neospora/*immunology/physiology ; Seroepidemiologic Studies