Association between Coccidia and Intestinal Helmints in Broiler Chickens
Mauricio De Franceschi1 and Hebe Barrios2
1Departament of Tecnology, 2Departament of Basic Science. Luján National
University. Ruta Nacional 5 y Avenida Constitución. 6700. Luján Argentina. sip@mail.unlu.edu.ar.
The highly intensive systems in which
commercial birds are reared favors the simultaneous occurrence of many diseases.
Coccidiosis has a largeconomical importance and it has been studied in
combination with a great number of affections, such as salmonellosis, Marek´s
disease, Clostridium, reovirus infections, tec.. Until now, the relationship
between the clinical coccidiosis and other intestinal parasites was not studied.
The objective of this study was to demonstrate by monitoring of broiler chickens,
the relation between different clinical presentations of coccidiosis and
intestinal helminths. Between 1991 and 2001, we performed systematic and weekly
diagnosis of coccidiosis and helminthiasis in broiler farms in the province of
Buenos Aires. We collected 486 samples of 6 birds per house and farm. . The
presence of coccidia was investigated using the Serial Scraping Method of the
Intestinal Mucosa (SSMIM), whereas macroscopic parasites were identified first.
Out of the collected samples, 80 % were positive for coccidiosis, out of which47
% were subclinical,, 27 % clinical degree 1, and 60 % clinical degree 2 and 3.
The ratios were maintained relatively constant during the study. In all analyzed
samples, the duodenum was affected. The other intestinal sections were always
also involved. Twenty five per cent of the farms were infected with variable
proportions of Ascaris, Heterakis, and tapeworms during the 10 studied years,
although the first half of the period there was a higher frequency of findings.
The relationship between the presence of coccidia and helminths was similar
either in negative coccidiosis cases or in any clinical presentation. Therefore,
the presence or absence of helminths was independent from the diagnosis of
coccidiosis. We concluded that, during the studied period, there was a high
prevalence of coccidiosis, which was subclinical or mild (degree 1), being the
latter more frequent. The duodenum was affected in 100 % of the chickens, in
which we found possible predominance of Eimeria acervulina. On the other hand we
did not detect any relationship between the macroscopic presentation of
coccidiosis and intestinal parasites.