Occurrence, Morphometric Identification and Histopathological Lesions of Eimeria Species in Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) In Zaria, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Coccidiosis is one of the most important diseases of poultry worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence and identify the species of Eimeria causing coccidiosis in quails in Zaria. The samples for the study were collected in Sabon Gari and Zaria Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
Four hundred faecal samples were collected from 10 farms, 40 pooled from each farm. They were processed using simple floatation technique and examined at x10 and x40 objective of microscope.
Oocysts shape indices (length/width) of sporulated oocysts were determined by measuring their length and width using a calibrated ocular micrometer at x40 magnificationand calculating the ratios of the length and width.Fifty birds were selected at random from the sampled farms and sacrificed.
The intestines were harvested and observed for gross lesions. Segments of the intestine were taken to the laboratory and opened up, and the intestinal contents were removed, examined and analyzed using Geimsa, Haematoxylin &Eosin stain and then observed microscopically for the developmental stages of the parasite.
A total prevalence of 45.75% was recorded forEimeriainfection, most of which were nonclinical. Information gotten from observations and questions asked showed that100% percent of the farms had an incidence of water spillage, while 50% had a high stocking density.
Frequency of litter disposal was poor in 60% of the farms and 80% of the farmers did not practice the prophylactic use of coccidiostats. Four species of Eimeria were detected, with only Eimeria bateriidentified and conforming to the guidelines provided.
The main gross lesion seen was non-haemorrhagic ballooning of the caeca. Intestinal scrapping smear revealed a developmental stage of the parasite (merozoites) in the jejunum.
Histopathology also revealed a developmental stage (schizont) of the parasite in the caecum and desquamation of the epithelial lining with areas of necrosis.In conclusion, the study showed that there was a relatively high prevalence of Eimeriainfection in quails in Sabon Gari and Zaria Local Government Areas of Zaria.
Damp environment and poor biosecurity practices were the predisposing factors for the disease transmission. However the infections were inapparent and Eimeria bateri was the only Eimeria spp confirmed in this study.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page………………
Declaration……………………ii
Certification………………iii
Dedication……………iv
Acknowledgements…………v
Abstract…………………vi
Table of Contents……………………viii
List of Tables………………………xii
List of Figures……………………
List of Plates………………xiii
List of Appendices………
List of Abbreviations………xv
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Research Study……1
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem 3
1.3 Justification of the Study………4
1.4 Aim of the Study…………6
1.5 Objectives of the Study……6
1.6 Research Questions……………………………………6
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Japanese Quail………………………………………………………………7
2.1.1 Geographic Distribution of Japanese Quails………………9
2.2 Coccidiosis in Japanese Quails……………………………………………..10
2.3 Distribution of Eimeria species in Japanese Quails………………………
2.4 Life Cycle of Coccidiosis in Birds…………………………………………
2.5 Transmission and Occurrence of Eimeria Infection…….……………….
2.6 Diagnosis of Coccidiosis…………………………………………………….
2.7 Clinical Signs and Gross lesions of Coccidiosis……………………………
2.8 Microscopic Examinations of Coccidiosis…………………………………
2.9 Economic Importance of Coccidiosis………………………………………
2.10 Treatment of Coccidiosis………………………………………………….
2.11 Prevention and Control of Coccidiosis…………………………………….
2.11.1 Control using Anticoccidial Drugs…………………………………………
2.11.2 Vaccines against Eimeria Parasites……………………………………….
2.11.3 Alternative Controls including Nutritional and Probiotics
(Immunomodulators) or Natural-Feed Additives…………25
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Study Area……………………………26
3.2 Study Design…………………27
3.2.1 Questionnaire………………27
3.2.2 Sampling……………………27
3.3 Sample Size …………………29
3.4 Sample Collection, Handling and Processing …………29
3.4.1 Laboratory Examination of Faecal Samples…………..30
3.4.2 Specie Identification……………….30
3.4.3 Postmortem Examination………………….31
3.5 Data Analysis…………………………32
4.0 RESULTS…………………………………………………………………..33
4.1 General Observations during Sampling…………………………………..33
4.2 Questionnaire Analysis…………………………………………………….33
4.3 Results of Floatation Technique……………………………………………38
4.4 Micrometry (Dimensions, Morphology and Speciation)…44
4.5 Gross and Histopathological Lesions…………44
5.0 DISCUSSION………56
6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Conclusions…………..59
6.2 Recommendations…..59
REFERENCES……60
APPENDICES……. 69
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Research Study
Coccidiosis is one of the most important diseases of poultry worldwide. The disease is caused by protozoa of the Phylum: Apicomplexa which undergoes a direct life cycle with transmission between hosts by way of resistant oocysts.
In the host, the parasite grows and multiplies intracellularly in epithelial and sub epithelial cells, usually in the gut inducing enteritis (Gordon and Jordan, 1982). Flocks infected as a result of mild to severe exposure usually show a marked decrease in food and water consumption and birds become depressed and tend to huddle.
Decreased weight gains occur as a result of the disruption of the intestinal mucosa where minimal absorption is taking place. Diarrhoea may result as the host is trying to flush the organism from the body, which may induce dehydration.
Lesions of the intestinal mucosa and loss of pigmentation may also become apparent during the latter stages of infection (Conway and McKenzie, 1991; Edgar, 1992). The disease in some cases only occurs if a bird is subjected to heavy infection or its resistance to infection is lowered.
It is important at the outset to differentiate between infection and disease. The presence of infection does not invariably lead to the development of clinical signs of disease.
Low level of challenge can actually be beneficial by stimulating protective immune responses in the host (Catchpole et al., 1993).
REFERENCES
Adefolabi, T.K. and Chiejina, S. (1987). The faecal coccidial oocyst output of adult small ruminants in Nigeria. Nigerian Veterinary Journal, 16: 1-6.
Adene, D.F. and Dipeolu, O.O. (1997). Survey of blood and ectoparasites of domestic fowls in Ibadan, Western State if Nigeria. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa, 23: 333–335.
Ajayi, J.A and Todd A.C. (1973). Relationships between two levels of aureomycin-sulphamethazine supplementation and acquisition of resistance to ovine coccidiosis. The British Veterinary Journal, 162(2): 112-6.
Akpan, I.A. and Nsa, E.E. (2009). Growth performance of growing Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed diets containing different crude protein levels. Proceedings of 14th Annual Conference of Animal Science Association of Nigeria, pp. 553 – 555.
Alderton, D. (1992). The Atlas of Quails. Neptune City, New Jersey: T. F. H. Publications, pp. 20-25.
Allen, P. C and Fetter, R. H (2002). Recent advances in biology and immunobiology of Eimeria species and in diagnosis and control of infection with these coccidian parasites of poultry. Clinical Microbiology Review. 15: 58-65.
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