• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.161-167
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• 2004

The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Eimeria infection in 1,300 slaughtered chickens from 130 farms in Gyeongnam, Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, Gyeongbuk and Chungnam during the period from October 2002 to August 2003. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. The prevalence of Eimeria infection in 130 chicken farms was 76.9% and Eimeria infection rates of Gyeongnam, Jeonbuk, Gyeongbuk, Jeonnam and Chungnam were 80%, 75%, 70%, 42.9%, respectively. That of Tongyoung was the highest infection(94.4%) than others districts in the Gyeongnam. 2. The prevalence of oocysts infection level in 1,300 slaughtered chickens from 5 districts was 33.4% and that of Jeonbuk was the highest rate(42%) and Gyeongbuk has the lowest rate(20%). Prevalence of OPG level of slaughtered chicken in Tongyoung was the highest rate(42.8%) in Gyeongnam. 3, Mixed infection rate of over types 2 was 79% and triple infection was shown the highest infection(33%) among the infection types. 4. Kinds of E. spp. were E. acerulina, E. mivati, E. necatrix, E. maxima, and E. tenella. E. tenella has the highest infection rate(78%) and E. necatrix has the lowest infection rate(36%) among the Eimeria spp. 5. The monthly prevalence of Eimeria infection was shown higher in July(94.4%) compared with other months and Jun was shown lower(57.9%). But, level of OPG was shown higher in summer season(July, August; over 40%) than that of winter season(January, February; 23.1%, 16%).

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.189-196
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• 2023

This study was conducted to determine genetic diversities of Eimeria spp. detected from wildlife. From January 2020 to December 2021, molecular analysis was conducted for Eimeria spp. detected from wildlife rescued in Jeonbuk province, Korea. Polymerase chain reaction targeting 18 s rRNA gene for Eimeria spp. detected from 8 domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica), 1 Oriental turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis), 1 Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo), 1 Azure-winged magpie (Cyanopica cyanus), 1 Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), and 1 raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) was conducted for phylogenetic analysis. Domestic pigeon and Oriental turtle dove were bound to the same cluster. In addition, carnivorous Eurasian eagle owl and poultry were bound to the same cluster. These results suggest that Eimeria spp. can be shared between similar species regardless of species along the food chain, suggesting that wild birds could be carriers of Eimeria spp. in Korea.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1262-1266
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• 2005

Twelve Korean native goats, spontaneously infected with mixed species of Eimeria were used to study the possible direct anticoccidial effect of feeding condensed tannin-containing plants on the production of Eimeria oocysts. The effects of feeding pine (Pinus densifora) needles, oak (Quercus acutissima) leaves and lucerne chaff on coccidia oocyst output were studied for a period of 10 days post-feeding. The results indicate that feeding fresh pine needles (40 g condensed tannins (CT) dry matter (DM)/day/goat) and oak leaves (40 g CT DM/day/goat) in combination with lucerne chaff had rapid anticoccidial activities in goats as demonstrated by a sharp decrease in oocyst production. Two days after feeding, the numbers of oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG) from the goats fed pine needles with lucerne chaff, and from goats fed oak leaves reduced by 40% and 44% compared to pre-feeding, respectively. On the sixth day after commencing feeding pine needles and oak leaves, the reduction was 81% and 72%, respectively. Ten days after feeding pine needles and oak leaves, the OPG was reduced by 93% and 85%, respectively compared to pre-feeding. Statistical analysis showed that feeding pine needles and oak leaves to goats naturally infected with coccidia significantly (p<0.001) reduced the numbers of oocysts compared to the control group fed lucerne chaff only. Four clinically important species of coccidia, Eimeria parva, Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae, Eimeria christenseni and Eimeria arloingi were identified in Korean native goats.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.149-170
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• 1999

Protozoa of the genus Eimeria are the etiologic agents of avian coccidiosis, the most economically important Parasitic disease for the poultry industry. Coccidia multiply in intestinal epithelial cells of a wide range of hosts, including livestock in addition to poultry. Chemotherapy is extensively used to control coccidiosis. However, development of drug resistance by Eimeria parasites, the intensive cost and labor involved in the identification of new anticoccidial compounds and public awareness of drug residues in foods warrant alternative methods to prevent coccidiocic in the fast growing poultry industry. For these reasons, there is a great interest in developing vaccines against avian coccidiosis. Live Eimeria vaccines confer protective immunity, however a significant disadvantage of using these types of vaccines is their pathogenicity. Live parasites with attenuated pathogenicity also usually produce immunity but may revert back to a pathogenic form and may be contaminated with other pathogenic organisms. Killed Eimeria vaccines are safer but, unlike live attenuated vaccines, are not able to generate cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. Recombinant vaccines are biochemically purified proteins produced by genetic engineering that consist of particular epitopes or metabolites of Eimeria. Unlike live attenuated organisms, recombinant vaccines do not possess as much risk and generally are able to induce both humoral and cell mediated immunity. DNA vaccines consist of genes encoding immunogenic proteins of pathogens that are directly administered into the host in a manner that the gene is expressed and the resulting protein generates a protective immune response. Although all of these different types of vaccines have been applied to coccidiosis, this disease continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality in the poultry industry. Future development of an effective vaccine against coccidiosis will depend on further investigation of protective immunity to Eimeria infection and identification of important immundgenic parasite molecules.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.151-154
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• 2010

A thirty-five week old elk was referred for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) confirmation from Chungnam province in Korea. Necropsy revealed much bloody contents in the lumen of small and large intestines, and reddening of its mucosa. Microscopically, few coccidia showing various developmental stages were infiltrated in lamina propria of small intestine with granulomatous inflammation and congestion. They were identified as Eimeria spp. according to their location and morphological characteristics. Because fecal examination and oocyst culture were not available, the species of the Eimeria could not be confirmed. There were no detection of pathogenic bacteria such as clostridia and virus in intestinal contents. CWD was shown to be negative in immunohistochemistry test. In conclusion, it was the first Eimeria case detected in small intestine of Korean domestic elk as far as we know although Eimeria spp. were not the main cause of death.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.123-130
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• 1995

Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone, is isolated from the leafy portion of the Artemisia annua and has been known to be effective against Plasmodium species. Since the genera of Plasmodium and Eimeria(E) tenella are included the same order, Eucoccidiidae, it is presumed that artemisinin may also be effective against E tenella. In order to study the anticoccididal effects of artemisinin, the chickens inoculated with E tenella were treated with artemisinin at different concentrations as feed additive and the results were compared to those of non-medicated, infected control(NIC) and non-medicated, non-infected control(NNC) group. Artemisinin demonstrated anticoccidial effects by showing, compared to NIC group, improved results in all parameters, such as bloody diarrhea, lesion scores, the numbers of excreted oocystis in feces, body weight gain and feed conversion rate. Anticoccidial index(ACI) of artemisinin treated group (5ppm~50ppm) was higher than that of NIC group. Improvements were greatest in the group treated with artemisinin 50ppm with an ACI of 147.6. These results indicate that artemisinin has anticoccidial effects on the Eimeria tenella.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.115-121
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• 1995

The herb, Artemisia(A) annua, a member of the composital family, has been used successfully for malaria(Plasmodium sp) patients in china. Since the genera of Plasmodium and Eimeria(E) tenella are related, it is presumed that A annua may also be effective against E tenella. In order to study the anticoccidial effects of A annua the chickens inoculated with E tenella were treated with the extract of A annua in drinking water and the results were compared to those of non-medicated, infected control(NIC) and non-medicated, non-infected control(NNC) group. A annua demonstrated anticoccidial effects by showing, compared to NIC group, improved results in all parameters, such as bloody diarrhea, lesion scores, the numbers of excereted oocysts in feces, body weight gain and feed conversion rate. Anticoccidial index(ACI) of the A annua treated group (123.4) was higher than that of NIC group (96.9). These results indicate that Artemisia annua has anticoccidial effects on the Eimeria tenella.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.299-302
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• 2011

During experimental Eimeria infections in chickens, facilities are often contaminated by fecal oocysts known to be highly resistant to both chemical and enzymatic treatments. Thus, studies using experimental Eimeria infections have been limited due to the difficulty of complete elimination of residual oocysts from both cages and facilities. To overcome this limitation, simple, inexpensive, and disposable cages were constructed from cardboard boxes and tested during experimental Eimeria maxima infections. The cages were used in animal rooms with only a 1.7% evidence of coccidia contamination between adjacent cages. No significant differences in fecal oocyst output and body weight gain were noted between animals housed in disposable cages and animals housed in wire control cages. This cage design is a useful means for preventing oocyst contamination during experimental conditions, suggesting that this disposable cage design could be used for other avian infectious disease studies.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.403-408
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• 2021

Avian coccidiosis has a major economic impact on the poultry industry, it is caused by 7 species of Eimeria, and has been primarily controlled using chemotherapeutic agents. Due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains, alternative control strategies are needed. We assessed anticoccidial effects of berberine-based diets in broiler chickens following oral infection with 5 Eimeria species (E. acervulina, E. maxima, E. tenella, E. mitis, and E. praecox). When 0.2% berberine, a concentration that does not affect weight gain, was added to the diet, the 4 groups infected with E. acervulina, E. tenella, E. mitis, or E. praecox showed significant reductions in fecal oocyst shedding (P<0.05) compared to their respective infected and untreated controls. In chickens treated 0.5% berberine instead of 0.2% and infected with E. maxima, fecal oocyst production was significantly reduced, but body weight deceased, indicating that berberine treatment was not useful for E. maxima infection. Taken together, these results illustrate the applicability of berberine for prophylactic use to control most Eimeria infections except E. maxima. Further studies on the mechanisms underlying the differences in anticoccidial susceptibility to berberine, particularly E. maxima, are remained.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 1992

Sporozoite of Eimeria tenella inoculated into the allantoic cavities of embryonating eggs completed their life-cycle in the chorioallantoic membranes (CAM ) and produced viable oocysts. And the strain continued to adapt to the CAM through the period of the passages. In embryos, the reproduction of the strain, judged by oocyst production increased, but the pathogenicity, judged by mortality of embryo decreased, with increasing numbers of passage in eggs.