SOME STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT STRAINS OF EIMERIA SPP. IN QUAILS EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH E. COLI

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Avian Diseases, Animal Health Research Institute. Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Egypt.

Abstract

The interactive effect of E. coli and intestinal coccidiosis infections in quails broilers was studied. Single and dual orally inoculations were assessed in 6 groups of 25 quails chicks each.Mortality rate in group infected with Eimeria only was 24%; in group infected with Eimeria before E. coli was 28% while ingroup < /em>infectedwithE.coliandEimeriaat the same time was 32%,otherwise no mortalities observed in other tested groups. The total oocyst output and lesion score were high and severe in quail chicks infected with intestinal coccidiosis alone or with E. coli prior to coccidial infection. Low oocyst output and moderate intestinal lesion score were noticed in quail chicks inoculated with E.coli priortoor togetherwith intestinalcoccidiosisinfection. Statistically using LSD, there was a significant decrease in body weight gain in all tested groups infected either with E. coli or intestinal Eimeria spp. or with both pathogens. These results suggested a synergistic action between E. coli and intestinal Eimeria spp. in producing gross lesions.

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