The Coccidia (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) of the Domestic Goat, Capra Hircus

Lima, Jose Divino

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Description

Title

The Coccidia (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) of the Domestic Goat, Capra Hircus

Author(s)

Lima, Jose Divino

Issue Date

1980

Department of Study

Veterinary Medical Science

Discipline

Veterinary Medical Science

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

Biology, Veterinary Science

Language

eng

Abstract

• To describe the species and to determine the prevalence of coccidia in the domestic goat, 217 fecal samples from Illinois, 41 from Indiana, 14 from Missouri and 46 from Wisconsin were examined. Eimerian oocysts were found in 100% of the fecal samples examined. Nine species of Eimeria, 7 named and 2 unnamed, were found. The most prevalent species were E. arloingi (98.8%), E. crandallis (92.6%) and E. christenseni (58.2%). Eimeria sp. 1 (49.7%), E. granulosa (35.2%), E. parva (33.3%), and E. ninakohlyakimovae (33.3%) were common; E. faurei (15.4%) was less prevalent; and Eimeria sp. 2 (1.9%) was the least prevalent species. The prevalence of some species differed significantly with age of the goats examined. Prepatent and patent periods and sporulation times were determined for all species except E. ninakohlyakimovae. All species were described; line drawings and photomicrographs accompanied the description of each.
• In 2 cases of fatal coccidiosis in goats less than 6 months old, E. arloingi, E. christenseni and E. crandallis were found. E. christenseni was the most prevalent species in both cases.
• Attempts to cross-transmit species from the domestic goat to the domestic sheep were made using coccidia-free lambs. Lambs inoculated with E. arloingi, E. christenseni, E. crandallis, E. faurei, E. granulosa, E. parva and Eimeria sp. 1 did not become infected. Four lambs less than 2 months old inoculated with Eimeria sp. 2 became infected; however, 3 of the latter and 2 other kids about 4 months old did not become infected with this species when inoculated 2 months later. The infection with Eimeria sp. 2 in lambs was lighter than in goats; also, the prepatent period was longer and the patent period was shorter in lambs than in goats.
• The life cycle of E. christenseni was studied by light microscopy in 10, 2- to 4-week-old kids killed from 2 to 26 days after inoculation with 10('6) to 10('7) oocysts. Two generations of meronts were found. The first generation developed in endothelial cells of lacteals in the jejunum and ileum and in the sinuses, vessels, trabecula, medulla and hilus of mesenteric lymph nodes; mature meronts were 184 (100-277) x 101 (81-135) (mu)m and contained thousands of merozoites. The second generation developed in epithelial cells of the glands of Lieberkeuhn in the jejunum and ileum and in the trabecula, sinuses and medulla of mesenteric lymph nodes; mature meronts were 14 (9-20) x 10 (8-12) (mu)m and contained 8-24 merozoites. The sexual stages were found in epithelial cells in the jejunum and ileum. Mature macrogametes were 26 (19-35) x 19 (13-25) (mu)m. Mature microgamonts were 34 (19-50) x 26 (12-40) (mu)m and contained a large number of microgametes. Oocysts were 34 (27-42) x 22 (17-27) (mu)m. The prepatent period was 17 (14-23) days and the patent period was 8 to more than 30 days. Sporulation time was 3-4 days at 30 C.
• E. christenseni was found to be pathogenic for kids. Signs of coccidiosis (severe diarrhea, anorexia, polydipsia, poor hair coat and extreme weakness), low growth rates and death were observed in kids inoculated with E. christenseni.

Graduation Semester

1980

Type of Resource

text

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/68232

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