Isolation,identification and pathogenic characterization of Eimeria labbeana in Zhejiang province
10.16303/j.cnki.1005-4545.2025.06.07
- VernacularTitle:拉氏艾美耳球虫浙江株的分离鉴定与病原特性
- Author:
Lianfeng WU
1
;
Xueqiu CHEN
1
;
Xiaocui HUANG
1
;
Kaiyue SONG
1
;
Kaiyin SHENG
1
;
Yi YANG
1
;
Guangxu MA
1
;
Aifang DU
1
Author Information
1. 浙江大学动物科学学院浙江省动物预防医学重点实验室,浙江 杭州 310058
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
pigeon;
coccidiosis;
Eimeria labbeana;
pathogenicity
- From:
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science
2025;45(6):1150-1156,1168
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Eimeria labbeana is a major pathogen of pigeon coccidiosis,causing damage to the intes-tinal epithelial cells of pigeons,which leads to gut injury,diarrhea,decreased production perform-ance,and even death.There have been no research on the pathogen characteristics of isolated strains in China.In this study,1 008 fecal samples were collected from nine cities in Zhejiang Prov-ince,including Hangzhou,Ningbo,Wenzhou,Shaoxing,Huzhou,Jinhua,Quzhou,Taizhou and Lishui.The samples were examined using the McMaster counting method to quantify oocysts per gram of feces,and coccidia species in positive samples were identified through microscopy.Patho-gens were isolated and purified with methods of single oocyst pickout under the microscopy and passage in coccidia-free pigeon,followed by a detailed study of their characteristics.Our findings demonstrated an overall infection rate of 55.8％(562/1 008)for pigeon coccidia in the surveyed ar-eas,with E.labbeana present across all farms.A strain of E.labbeana isolated from Zhejiang was successfully obtained and designated E.labbeana-ZJ.PCR identification and sequence alignment showed that this Zhejiang isolate shared a 99.67％similarity in the 18S rRNA gene sequence with the Australian strain(KT305927.1)and clustered into a small subgroup.Pathogenicity and oocyst shedding patterns were assessed through animal infection experiments,revealing a 4 days latent period,with peak infection occurring on the 8th day.Following infection,notable clinical symptoms emerged,with significant intestinal damage,and changes in body weight,indicating moderate path-ogenicity.The results enriched the epidemiological survey data of pigeon coccidiosis in China,and provide a new basis for further research and effective control measures against pigeon coccidiosis.
