COCCIDIOSIS

Causative Agent: Eimeria tenella, E. necatrix

Transmission:
1. Ingestion of oocyst-laden feeds, water, pecking of infected litter or preening of feathers.
2. Fomites and other insects.

Incubation Period: 2 - 9 days.

Morbidity: 20% or more

Mortality: 20% or more if proper cpntrol measures not implemented.

Age Group affected: 2 to 3 days up to 18 weeks.

Signs:
1. Emaciation.
2. Listlessness.
3. Rough plummage.
4. Birds huddle together.
5. Pasty vent.
6. Bloody wet droppings.
7. Droopiness.
8. Decrease feed consumption.
9. General paleness.

Gross Lesions:
1. Duodenum - presence of coagulation necrosis on the mucosal lining.
2. Ceca - enlarged ceca of sistended, and filled with blood and petecchial hemorrhages on cecal tonsils containing thick chocolate colored cecal contents.
3. Rest of intestines - white foci in intestinal wall surrounded by hemorrhages.
Note that coccidal species have specific predelection sites along the segment of the intestines.

Diagnosis:
1. Demonstration of shizonts in fecal smears.
2. Gross lesions are suggestive of the disease.

Differential Diagnosis:
1. Leucocytozoonosis.
2. Salmonellosis.
3. E. coli septicemia.

Prevention:
1. Strict hygiene and sanitation.
2. Avoid movement of caretakers from one poultry building to another.
3. Avoid overcrowding.

Control:
1. Litter must be kept dry.
2. Provide proper ventilation.
3. Removal of affected birds.

Treatment:
1. Amprolium.
2. Sulfonamides.
3. Nitrofurazone.
4. Clopidol.

Ceca is enlarged with petecehial
hemorrhages on the cecal tonsils.
 Enlarged ceca filled with thick,
chocolate-colored contents.








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