The purpose of this study was to determine the course of infection in pigeons with Eimeria labbeana. Thirty-five squabs (4-6 weeks old) were brought from the local poultry market and examined for coccidial infection for 7 days to ensure they were coccidia free. A negative control group of five squabs was used, and thirty squabs were infected orally with 2.5 × 104 sporulated E. labbeana oocysts. From day 1-8 post-infection (PI), three squabs were scarified daily to track the endogenous stages in the intestinal tissue. Furthermore, six squabs were preserved to track the patent period and calculate daily oocyst shedding. The parasite stages were differentiated using paraffin-embedded intestinal tissues that were sectioned and stained. On day 5 PI, the infected squabs had greenish watery diarrhea, weakness, rough feathers, and decreased food intake. The pre-patent and patent durations were six and fourteen days PI, respectively. The shedding of oocysts began on day 6 PI and peaked on day 8 PI. In the duodenum and jejunum of the small intestine, histopathological investigation indicated the presence of three schizont stages, macro- and micro-gametes, and oocysts. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in Egypt to explore the course of E. labbeana infection in domestic pigeons.
Keywords: Biology; Eimeria labbeana; Histopathology; Infection; Piegons.
© Indian Society for Parasitology 2021.