Coccidiosis and enteric necrosis

[Saviour Uyinosa]

Coccidiosis is characterized by diarrhea that may be bloody, dehydration, weight loss, and poor appetite. Infected animals often exhibit lethargy and ruffled feathers while Enteritis typically involves a sudden onset of severe diarrhea, which may also be accompanied by foul-smelling feces and lesions on the intestinal lining

[Md. Abdul Bari]

Good

[HABIBU IBRAHIM OKOLONGS]

Postmortem examination can clearly differentiate between coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis

[Imran Elladan Elmukhtar]

Mycoplasma Synoviae

Cause

Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) infection most frequently occurs as

subclinical upper respiratory tract infection inducing airsac lesions.

After MS becomes systemic it can induce acute to chronic infection

of synovial membranes of joints and tendons resulting in synovitis,

tendovaginitis or bursitis. Recently MS was isolated from laying flocks

with drop in egg production and/or misshapen eggs (so called “glass

window eggs”).

Transmission

Mycoplasma synoviae is spread horizontally via direct contact and

vertically from parent to progeny.

Species affected

Chickens and turkeys are the natural hosts for Mycoplasma synoviae.

Other species can be infected but do not show clinical problems.

Clinical signs

First recognized signs are pale comb, lameness, retarded growth and,

as the disease progresses, ruffled feathers, swelling of joints and breast

blisters.

Respiratory involvement is generally asymptomatic but is possible;

usually 90-100% of the birds will be infected.

Clinical synovitis varies around 5-15% in an infected flock. Mortality

is low around 1% (exceptional up to 10%). More recent strains induced

drop in egg production and/or misshapen eggs (so called “glass

window eggs”).

Lesions

In general no lesions are found in the respiratory tract.

At post mortem from the early stage of synovitis, a viscous creamy to

gray exudate involving synovial membranes of tendon sheaths, joints

and keel bursa can be found; other findings are liver and kidney swelling.

Diagnosis

Organism confirmatory diagnosis based on isolation and identification

of Mycoplasma synoviae can be done by culturing or PCR. Serological

monitoring can be done with serum plate agglutination (RPA), Elisa and

HI tests.

Treatment

Mycoplasma synoviae is susceptible to several antibiotics. Antibiotic

treatment will diminish clinical signs but not eliminate MS from a flock.

Control and prevention

Prevention by monitoring and vaccination has become a more effective

method of combating the disease especially in layers. Economic losses

in commercial layers can be reduced by proper use of MS vaccines.

Eradication programs

(first in breeder flocks), based

on stringent monitoring and

culling, are preferred in breeders

to prevent vertical transmission

and are only economically

possible when prevalence is low.

[MUHAMMAD MUHAMMAD ARI]

That’s fantastic 😍

[Asia Community Manager]

DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN COCCIDIOSIS AND NECROTIC ENTERITIS

The following should be considered as general information only, you should always seek professional advice, specific to your individual circumstances.

Both diseases can co-occur in poultry flocks, with coccidiosis often predisposing birds to necrotic enteritis due to epithelial damage facilitating bacterial overgrowth. Differentiating between coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis in poultry includes:

COCCIDIOSIS

Cause – intracellular protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria.

Clinical Signs – diarrhea, sometimes bloody (may indicate caecal coccidiosis), dehydration, reduced feed intake, and poor growth. Severe cases may lead to mortality.

Pathology And Diagnosis – lesions are localized to the intestinal areas affected by the specific Eimeria species (e.g., E. tenella targets the ceca, and E. maxima targets the middle region of the small intestine). Oocysts may be visible microscopically in feces or intestinal mucosa scrapings.

Treatment – coccidiostats inhibit parasite growth and reproduction but do not kill the parasites, requiring continuous administration to prevent resurgence. Coccidiocides destroy or irreparably damage Eimeria parasites. Vaccines are becoming increasingly popular due to increasing resistance to ionophores. Phytomolecules have shown promise in reducing oocyst output and improving gut health.

Birds develop species-specific immunity after natural infection or vaccination with live oocysts. Full immunity typically requires 3-4 consecutive cycles of Eimeria infection, which can take several weeks to complete. Each cycle lasts about 5-7 days, depending on the Eimeria species involved. This natural immunity is important for long-term flock health, particularly in layer and breeder flocks.

NECROTIC ENTERITIS (NE)

Cause – overgrowth of Clostridium perfringens often triggered by predisposing factors like coccidiosis or dietary changes.

Clinical Signs – sudden mortality, severe depression, ruffled feathers, dark diarrhea, anorexia, and lethargy. Subclinical NE may reduce growth performance without overt symptoms.

Pathology And Diagnosis – intestinal lesions characterized by necrosis, friable walls, ballooning with gas, and foul-smelling brown fluid. Advanced necrosis may resemble a “turkish towel” membrane (due to its rough, irregular texture and tan-yellow coloration). Gross lesions in the jejunum and ileum; microscopic observation of gram-positive rods in mucosal scrapings; isolation of C. perfringens from intestinal contents.

Treatment – antimicrobial-medicated drinking water; dietary adjustments (to reduce undigested protein in the hindgut, causing proliferation of proteolytic bacteria like C. perfringens) and probiotics to stabilize gut microflora.

[MUHAMMAD MUHAMMAD ARI]

Thanks for the update

[Bello Bashir Bello]

To differentiate between coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis, look for coccidiosis signs like bloody or watery diarrhea, lethargy, and poor appetite, while necrotic enteritis may show signs of severe intestinal damage, including bloody stools, depression, and reduced growth, often occurring after a coccidiosis infection.

[Olayiwola Danso]

Coccidiosis is caused by protozoan parasites from the genus <em data-start=”280″ data-end=”289″ style=”background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color); font-size: var(–bbp_forum_base_font_size); color: var(–body_typography-color); font-weight: var(–body_typography-font-weight); letter-spacing: var(–body_typography-letter-spacing);”>Eimeria that infect the intestines, often leading to damage in the lining of the gut.

Signs of coccidiosis:

Diarrhea: Usually watery, with possible blood or mucus, especially in more severe cases.

Depression: Infected birds appear lethargic and weak.

Poor growth or weight loss: Young birds, especially chicks, may fail to thrive.

Ruffled feathers: Birds often appear unkempt.

Decreased feed intake: Due to discomfort or digestive issues.

Bloody droppings: Characteristic of severe infection.

High mortality rate: Especially if not treated early or if the infection is widespread.

Lesions: Upon necropsy (post-mortem), <em data-start=”967″ data-end=”976″ style=”background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color); font-size: var(–bbp_forum_base_font_size); color: var(–body_typography-color); font-weight: var(–body_typography-font-weight); letter-spacing: var(–body_typography-letter-spacing);”>Eimeria infection typically shows damage to the intestinal lining, with the cecum and small intestine often affected. The mucosa may appear thickened, hemorrhagic, or necrotic.

Enteric necrosis is a bacterial infection, often caused by <em data-start=”1252″ data-end=”1277″ style=”font-size: var(–bbp_forum_base_font_size); color: var(–body_typography-color); font-weight: var(–body_typography-font-weight); background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color); letter-spacing: var(–body_typography-letter-spacing);”>Clostridium perfringens, which leads to inflammation and tissue death in the intestines.

Signs of Enteric Necrosis:

Diarrhea: Often watery, but may have a more foul odor compared to coccidiosis.

Depression: Birds may appear weak or lethargic.

Sudden death: Necrotic enteritis can cause rapid death, often without prior signs of illness.

Swollen abdomen: The abdomen may appear distended in some cases due to gut distension from the bacterial infection.

Decreased appetite: Similar to coccidiosis, birds may eat less.

Mucus and blood in the droppings: Less common than in coccidiosis but still a possibility in severe cases.

Lesions: On necropsy, enteric necrosis shows necrotic, dark, and foul-smelling tissue in the small intestine, particularly in the duodenum and jejunum. The intestine may be hemorrhagic with gas accumulation in the tissue, and the mesentery may show inflammation.

[Olayiwola Danso]

<b data-start=”473″ data-end=”503″><strong data-start=”478″ data-end=”502″>Signs of Coccidiosis:

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