Histopathological Lesions of Coccidiosis Natural Infestation in Chickens

Abstract

Coccidiosis is a disease that is caused by protozoan parasite belonging to the subclass coccidia and family Eimeridae, developing within the intestine of most domestic and wild animals and birds. Seven species of Eimeria (E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. maxima, E. mitis, E. necatrix, E. praecox and E. tenella) are recognized as infecting chickens. This study is part of the diagnostic investigations carried out to record the incidence of coccidiosis in chickens from different poultry farms sent to Central Diagnostic Laboratory of National veterinary research institute Vom Nigeria for diagnosis. The clinical signs observed  include greenish, yellowish, brown bloody stool, inactivity, off feed, weight lost, huddling, drop in feed intake, drop in production, emaciation, comb and wattles pale, anemia and sudden death.  Gross lessions include ballooned and haemorrhagic intestine while histopathological lesions revealed loss of epithelial tissue, congestion of blood vessels which indicated disruption followed by leakage of blood, severe mucosal oedema, necrosis of submucosa, loss of villi and marked haemorrhages, presence oocyst within the intestinal villi and lymphoid cells showing hyperplasia. It can be concluded that clinical signs, gross and histopathological examination can be used as a tool for diagnosis of coccidiosis.