Comparison of Pathological and Biochemical Findings in Experimentally Induced the Liver Coccidiosis by Different Types of Eimeria Stiedae Strains in the Rabbits

The aim of this study was to compare clinical, biochemical and pathological findings of the liver coccidiosis induced by field and standard strain of the Eimeria stiedae in the rabbits. Thirty-six New Zealand rabbits weighing 1.5 kg and aged 6-8 weeks were used. The rabbits were allocated into three groups, the first of which was healthy control group. One ml of inoculum of field strain and standard strain containing 50 000 sporulated E.stiedae oocysts per ml were administered orally by a catheter to each rabbit in the second group and third group, respectively. Liver lesions were more severe in the second group of the Eimeria stiedae field strain inoculated than the third group in which the Eimeria stiedae standard strain was inoculated macroscopically and histologically. No statistical difference was found in serum GGT, ALT and AST enzyme activities between the first and second group at day 20 and 30 after the inoculation. However, at day 20 and 30 after the inoculation, a significant increase (p<0.05) was found in serum GGT, ALT and AST enzyme activities of the rabbits in the third group compared to those in group one. This is the first study to suggest that some clinical, biochemical and pathological changes in the liver coccidiosis induced with a field and standard strain of E. stiedae may vary depending on the severity of the infection