Pathological study of Hepatic coccidiosis in naturally infected rabbits

Abstract

Thirty young domesticated rabbits (age 2-2.5 mo) of sexes showed clinical signs of anorexia, debilitation, diarrhea, icterus, rough hair coat and pendulous abdomen with hepatomegaly. Fecal samples were collected for demonstrated the presence of oocysts. Postmortem examination revealed the presence of discrete yellowish-white nodules of 1mm to 2 cm size on the surface and throughout the parenchyma containing a thick creamy white fluid. The histopathological changes showed biliary hyperplasia with different developmental stages of Eimeria stiedae in the epithelial cells, cholangitis and peribiliary fibrosis with newly formed bile ductules, severe congestion, and dilation of central veins and sinusoids with disruption hemorrhagic areas. The hepatocytes showed degenerative changes to necrosis with areas of fibrosis and mononuclear cell aggregation, obstructive jaundice and a tendency to form oocyst granuloma. In conclusion hepatic coccidiosis lead to severe pathological changes both in bile ducts and liver parenchyma especially in young animals.