Alberta Lorraine Fuller

Effects of Eimeria brunetti Infection and Dietary Zinc on Experimental Induction of Necrotic Enteritis in Broiler Chickens

Broilers infected with Eimeria brunetti and given dietary zinc were examined for experimental induction of necrotic enteritis. Inoculation with sporulated E. brunetti oocysts at 7 days of age was followed by 5 consecutive days of oral inoculation with cultured Clostridium perfringens. Feed was supplemented with zinc at 1000 ppm. Upon necropsy of broilers 6 days after coccidial inoculation, necrotic enteritis was found in 20% (2/10) of birds given both organisms and dietary zinc. Coccidial lesion scores were also highest in that group. Birds infected with E. brunetti and C. perfringens with no dietary zinc had significantly higher coccidiosis lesion scores (P less than 0.05) than groups inoculated with E. brunetti only, regardless of zinc supplementation. Alpha toxin levels in intestinal contents were low in groups infected with both organisms, regardless of zinc supplementation. Zinc was tested for effects of alpha toxin production in vitro. In the mid-log phase (6 hours incubation), a high level of alpha toxin was produced in zinc-supplemented media, but this was lost quickly in the presence of trypsin. Addition of zinc partly protected the toxin from the action of trypsin.

A new method for purification of Eimeria tenella merozoites.

SummaryA rapid and simple method for purifying second generation merozoites ofEimeria tenella was developed using a host tissue digestion fluid, containing 0.25% trypsin and 0.5% taurodeoxycholic acid, to liberate merozoites grown in chick embryos or from parasitized ceca. After filtration, the digestion procedure yielded 1.4×107 or 8.33×107 merozoites per embryo or cecum, respectively. These yields were nine-fold for embryos and three-fold for ceca in comparison to previous reports. Viability of the merozoites was normal as assessed by their ability to reinfect embryos and cell cultures. The new method has advantages in that large numbers of pure, viable merozoites can be obtained quickly and easily, and the procedures require minimal effort and supplies.

Biological effects of gamma-irradiation on laboratory and field isolates of Eimeriatenella (Protozoa; Coccidia)

Abstract Sporulated oocysts of a field strain (FS-111) and a laboratory strain (WIS) of Eimeriatenella were exposed to 0, 50, 100, 150, or 200 Gy of gamma-radiation from a 60Co source. Irradiated oocysts of WIS and FS-111 were not significantly more fragile after irradiation as shown by the release of sporocysts after 5–105 s of vortex agitation with glass beads. Excystation was normal in both strains after treatment of the sporocysts with trypsin and sodium taurodeoxycholate, even in groups exposed to 200 Gy of radiation. Sporozoite release from irradiated sporocysts was more rapid than that from unirradiated sporocysts, primarily because of a shorter lag phase during the first 30 min. Irradiated sporozoites were slower to parasitize cultured chick kidney cells than were control sporozoites (4 h postinoculation), but after 24 h there was no significant difference (P < 0.05) between irradiated and control groups except for the WIS treated with 200 Gy. After 48 h, developing schizonts were reduced by 77–94% on exposure to 50–200 Gy. Strain FS 111 did not develop as well as WIS in vitro, but the effect of irradiation was similar. When irradiated oocysts of WIS or FS-111 were inoculated into chickens the prepatent period was unaffected, but fewer oocysts were produced, lesion scores were lower, and the weight gain was less strongly affected in proportion to the doses of radiation. These results suggest that the effects of radiation damage were largely confined to the mechanism of nuclear and cellular reproduction rather than other physiological processes.

Lectin-binding by sporozoites of Eimeria tenella

Abstract. Sporozoites of Eimeria tenella were reacted in vitro with 19 different lectins characterized with a variety of carbohydrate-binding properties. Nine lectins caused sporozoite agglutination, which was inhibited by the specific carbohydrates mannose, sialic acid, melibiose, D-galactose, or D-galNAc. When intact live or fixed whole sporozoites were reacted with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated lectins, another nine lectins bound to sporozoites, giving weak to strong fluorescence but not agglutination. Of these, all nine lectins bound to surface sites, but four also bound to the refractile body. Two of the agglutinating lectins also bound to intracellular organelles of air-dried sporozoites. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that biotinylated lectins bound a wide variety of parasite proteins. Lectins with similar carbohydrate specificities had some similarity in binding patterns of parasite proteins, as well as marked differences. In a few cases lectins with different carbohydrate specificities bound common protein bands. Only one lectin (Dolichos biflorus) showed no evidence of binding to whole sporozoites, organelles, or proteins.

Coccidiosis in the Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar): A Survey of Coccidiosis Outbreaks and a Test of Anticoccidial Drugs Against Eimeria kofoidi

SUMMARY Field isolates of coccidia from 20 natural outbreaks in the chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) were received from gamebird farms in 10 U.S. states. These were propagated in the laboratory and identified by microscopy and PCR. Of 20 samples, 18 were Eimeria kofoidi, two were Eimeria legionensis only, and one was a mixture of the two species. One isolate of E. kofoidi also contained an unidentified species detected only by PCR, nucleotide sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. The efficacy of anticoccidial drugs against chukar coccidia was tested with experimental infections in battery cages. Isolates of E. kofoidi were used to infect 2-wk-old chukars. Anticoccidial products were given in the feed at levels approved for other poultry or for chukars. Tests were terminated at 6 days postinoculation with measurement of weight gains, fecal diarrhea scores, and necropsy to observe for lesion severity. Lasalocid (120 ppm) was moderately effective in one test. When tested against four field isolates, other ionophores (monensin, salinomycin, semduramicin) showed moderate effectiveness in reducing lesions and improving weight gains. Rofenaid (a potentiated sulfa mixture), robenidine (30 ppm), diclazuril (2 ppm), and decoquinate (80 ppm) were highly effective. In a test of nine products against a highly virulent field isolate, only diclazuril (2 ppm) and clopidol (125 ppm) reduced the severity of lesions and improved weight gain relative to infected controls, suggesting the extent to which previous drug usage had selected for drug resistance.