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Parasitological and clinical parameters of experimental Eimeria zuernii infection in calves and influence on weight gain and haemogram

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Abstract

Infection trials were performed to characterize experimental Eimeria zuernii coccidiosis parasitologically and clinically and to investigate the effects on weight gain and haemotologic parameters in affected calves. Three groups of calves were formed: Group 1 (n = 14) served as uninfected control group, group 2 (n = 11) was infected with 150,000 sporulated E. zuernii oocysts per calf, and group 3 (n = 16) was infected with 250,000 sporulated E. zuernii oocysts per calf. All infected animals shed oocysts and showed diarrhoea; a positive correlation could be shown between quantified oocyst excretion and faecal consistency. Measurements throughout the prepatent and the patent period revealed a marked influence of E. zuernii infection on weight gain, leukocyte concentration, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and mean cellular volume. Aberrations in these parameters were most pronounced in the highly infected group. The results of this study confirm that acute sublethal E. zuernii coccidiosis causes distinct loss of fluid and blood via intestine. This dominates also the haematological picture of the disease, which is mainly characterized by haemoconcentration. Leukocyte concentration was depressed during the early patent period, whereas it increased markedly from day 24 after infection on.

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Acknowledgement

Thanks are given to the Bayer HealthCare AG, Division Animal Health, Monheim, Germany for providing the study animals, stable facilities, and technical equipment (Technicon H*1). The authors also thank in particular Mr. A. Richter for statistical support and Dr. H.-C. Mundt for coordinational support. The experiment was conducted in compliance with current European and German legal requirements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Parasitology, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 35, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    B. Bangoura & A. Daugschies

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  1. B. Bangoura
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  2. A. Daugschies
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Correspondence to B. Bangoura.

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Bangoura, B., Daugschies, A. Parasitological and clinical parameters of experimental Eimeria zuernii infection in calves and influence on weight gain and haemogram. Parasitol Res 100, 1331–1340 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-006-0415-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-006-0415-5

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