Study of Physiological and Histological Changes in Rabbits induced with Hepatic Coccidiosis

In this study, 20 rabbits belonging to different ages, sexes but all these rabbit in same breed (local breed) during 1/6/2012- 31/12/2012. The rabbits were divided into two groups (10 rabbits each group). The first group was designated as healthy control group. Second group rabbits were infected Hepatic coccidiosis induction in 10 rabbits with 8.000 sporulated oocysts of E. stiedae. Clinically, the severely affected rabbits showed decreased growth rate, anorexia, debilitation, listlessness, diarrhea, and rough hair coat. Haematological analysis showed RBC, Hb, PCV, MCV value as well as percentage of lymphocyte decreased in infected group compared with control whereas WBC and percentage of neutrophiles, eosinophiles and basophiles increased. Serum bilirubin, creatinin, uric acid, ALT and AST activities increased but albumin value decreased. Plasma MDA concentrations increased. Mean oocyst numbers in per gram faeces increased in infected group during the study. Postmortem examinations revealed hepatomegly, with presence of discrete yellowish-white nodules 1mm to 1cm size on the surface and throughout the parenchyma, was seen. Bile ducts were dilated. The livers of these animals were enlarged and typical macroscopic and microscopic findings of coccidiosis were present. Necropsy of these animals showed no visible lesions related to hepatic coccidiosis although a few oocysts were detected in the bile duct epithelial cells.