EXOone Eimeria maxima

Description

Avian coccidiosis is caused by protozoa of Phylum Apicomplexa, fam. Eimeriidae. Although it affects several species of birds, it is in laying hens and broilers where it has the greatest impact. The disease occurs through the ingestion of sporulated oocysts.
E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. maxima, E. mitis, E. necatrix, E. praecox and E. tenella, are accepted of being capable of infect Gallus gallus. Most of clinical outbreaks are due to mixed infections of several species of Eimeria and, therefore, lesions are observed in different areas of the intestine.
In case of E. maxima infection, a catarrhal jejunitis is observed, which only evolves to hemorrhagic diarrhea in serious processes. Jejunal mucosal petechiae as a result of the development of subepithelial oocysts are observed. The content is aqueous, pinkish and can display blood clots. Diagnosis is made with the results of the complex evaluation of the clinical picture, macroscopic lesions (type and location), histological studies and flotation. Molecular techniques such as qPCR allow faster and more reliable detection.