Control of Avian Coccidiosis: Future and Present Natural Alternatives

Table 1

Main characteristics of Eimeria species.

Species	Site of development	Pathogenicity	Gross lesions	Reference
E. praecox	Duodenum, jejunum	Least pathogenic	Watery intestinal contents; Mucus and mucoid casts	[8]
E. hagani	Duodenum, jejunum and ileum	Least pathogenic	Petechiae and white opacities in the upper small intestine; Intestinal content may be creamy or watery	[19]
E. acervulina	Duodenum, ileum	Less pathogenic	Limited enteritis causing fluid loss. Malabsorption of nutrients.	[50]
E. mitis	Ileum	Less pathogenic	Limited enteritis causing fluid loss. Malabsorption of nutrients	[50]
E. mivati	Duodenum, rectum	Less pathogenic	Red petechiae and round white spots; Severe denuding of the mucosa	[50]
E. maxima	Jejunum, ileum	Moderately-Highly pathogenic	Inflammation of the intestinal wall with pinpointed hemorrhages; Sloughing of epithelia	[50]
E. brunetti	Caeca and rectum	Highly pathogenic	Inflammation of the intestinal wall with pinpointed hemorrhages Sloughing of epithelia	[50]
E. tenella	Caeca	Highly pathogenic	Thickened cecal wall and bloody contents at the proximal end; Distension of caecum; Villi destruction causing extensive hemorrhage and death	[50, 85]
E. necatrix	Jejunum, ileum, caeca	Highly pathogenic	Intestine may be ballooned; Mucosa thickened and the lumen filled with fluid, blood and tissue debris; Lesions in dead birds are observable as black and white plaques (salt and pepper appearance)	[50]