Clinico-pathologic observations of spontaneous hepatic coccidiosis in broiler rabbits maintained in Bannerghatta biological park in Karnataka state of India

Abstract

The present study reports the clinico-pathologic changes observed in spontaneous hepatic coccidiosis caused by Eimeria stiedae in rabbits at Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) in Karnataka state of India. The clinical signs observed in the affected rabbits included sudden death, stunted growth, anorexia, weight loss, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Increased liver enzymes and bilirubin was noticed upon biochemical examination. At necropsy, lesions included grossly enlarged liver (hepatomegaly) with presence of discrete yellowish-white nodules ranging from 1mm to 5mm size throughout the parenchyma containing a thick creamy white fluid. Faecal sample examination demonstrated the presence of Eimeria oocyts. The impression smears from the liver and intestinal mucosa also showed Eimeria oocysts, degenerative changes, necrotic cells and mononuclear cell aggregation to form oocyst granuloma. Histological observation revealed distension of bile duct, hyperplasia of epithelium along with numerous coccidian oocysts at the centre. Granulomatous tissues were observed to have encircled the bile duct with infiltration of inflammatory cells. Microscopic examination of exudates from liver also revealed numerous oocysts of E. stiedae. Multiple areas of coagulative necrosis of hepatic cells surrounded with inflammatory cells were also found.