Molecular detection and histopathological changes caused by Eimeria tenella in broilers in Al-Diwaniyah Province, Iraq

Background: Avian coccidiosis is one of the most significant and impactful diseases affecting the commercial poultry industry globally. Aim: This study aimed to identify the Eimeria species associated with chicken coccidiosis. Methods: Conducted from November 2023 to April 2024, the research...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Thanaa Ismael Jawad, Ghaidaa Abass Jasim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tripoli University 2025-02-01
Series:Open Veterinary Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ejmanager.com/fulltextpdf.php?mno=226129
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850187646333091840
author Thanaa Ismael Jawad
Ghaidaa Abass Jasim
author_facet Thanaa Ismael Jawad
Ghaidaa Abass Jasim
author_sort Thanaa Ismael Jawad
collection DOAJ
description Background: Avian coccidiosis is one of the most significant and impactful diseases affecting the commercial poultry industry globally. Aim: This study aimed to identify the Eimeria species associated with chicken coccidiosis. Methods: Conducted from November 2023 to April 2024, the research involved 150 avian samples. Intestinal samples were collected from chickens suspected of having coccidiosis at veterinary hospitals and clinics in Diwaniyah Governorate. To confirm the infection, a longitudinal incision was made in the ceca of the suspected infected chicken, and a direct swab was obtained. Part of the cecal contents was placed in a test tube for the fecal flotation method, while the remainder was stored in a separate test tube and refrigerated for DNA extraction. Additionally, a 1-cm tissue sample was collected from the cecum and preserved in formalin to assess histopathological changes. Samples were analyzed using microscopy and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), focusing on the small subunit 18S rRNA gene of the parasite, specifically internal transcribed spacer 1. Results: Microscopic analysis revealed parasitic oocysts in 19.3% of the fecal samples from the examined poultry. Furthermore, the PCR results indicated that Eimeria tenella was present in 22% of the fecal samples. The internal transcribed spacer-1 sequences of E. tenella from this study showed a high degree of similarity to those recorded in GenBank at 95%, with sequences from India (GQ856301, JX853825.1, JX853831.1, PP002176.1), China (JX477100.1, FJ449692.1, GQ153631.1, FJ449691.1), and Turkey (HQ680474.1) species. Overall, Eimeria tenella, which causes coccidiosis in poultry, leads to significant histopathological alterations in the intestinal tissues of infected birds, including epithelial damage. Conclusion: This study concludes that E. tenella is present in the tested poultry within the governorate. [Open Vet J 2025; 15(2.000): 714-723]
format Article
id doaj-art-b40ca2d701824401b5d23a6200b6677b
institution OA Journals
issn 2226-4485
2218-6050
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher Tripoli University
record_format Article
series Open Veterinary Journal
spelling doaj-art-b40ca2d701824401b5d23a6200b6677b2025-08-20T02:16:03ZengTripoli UniversityOpen Veterinary Journal2226-44852218-60502025-02-0115271472310.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i2.20226129Molecular detection and histopathological changes caused by Eimeria tenella in broilers in Al-Diwaniyah Province, IraqThanaa Ismael Jawad0Ghaidaa Abass Jasim1Nursing techniques department, Technical Institute of Al-Dewaniyah, AL-Furat AL-Awsat Technical University, Iraq Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah City, Iraq.Background: Avian coccidiosis is one of the most significant and impactful diseases affecting the commercial poultry industry globally. Aim: This study aimed to identify the Eimeria species associated with chicken coccidiosis. Methods: Conducted from November 2023 to April 2024, the research involved 150 avian samples. Intestinal samples were collected from chickens suspected of having coccidiosis at veterinary hospitals and clinics in Diwaniyah Governorate. To confirm the infection, a longitudinal incision was made in the ceca of the suspected infected chicken, and a direct swab was obtained. Part of the cecal contents was placed in a test tube for the fecal flotation method, while the remainder was stored in a separate test tube and refrigerated for DNA extraction. Additionally, a 1-cm tissue sample was collected from the cecum and preserved in formalin to assess histopathological changes. Samples were analyzed using microscopy and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), focusing on the small subunit 18S rRNA gene of the parasite, specifically internal transcribed spacer 1. Results: Microscopic analysis revealed parasitic oocysts in 19.3% of the fecal samples from the examined poultry. Furthermore, the PCR results indicated that Eimeria tenella was present in 22% of the fecal samples. The internal transcribed spacer-1 sequences of E. tenella from this study showed a high degree of similarity to those recorded in GenBank at 95%, with sequences from India (GQ856301, JX853825.1, JX853831.1, PP002176.1), China (JX477100.1, FJ449692.1, GQ153631.1, FJ449691.1), and Turkey (HQ680474.1) species. Overall, Eimeria tenella, which causes coccidiosis in poultry, leads to significant histopathological alterations in the intestinal tissues of infected birds, including epithelial damage. Conclusion: This study concludes that E. tenella is present in the tested poultry within the governorate. [Open Vet J 2025; 15(2.000): 714-723]http://www.ejmanager.com/fulltextpdf.php?mno=226129broilereimeria tenellairaqpcrpoultry
spellingShingle Thanaa Ismael Jawad
Ghaidaa Abass Jasim
Molecular detection and histopathological changes caused by Eimeria tenella in broilers in Al-Diwaniyah Province, Iraq
Open Veterinary Journal
broiler
eimeria tenella
iraq
pcr
poultry
title Molecular detection and histopathological changes caused by Eimeria tenella in broilers in Al-Diwaniyah Province, Iraq
title_full Molecular detection and histopathological changes caused by Eimeria tenella in broilers in Al-Diwaniyah Province, Iraq
title_fullStr Molecular detection and histopathological changes caused by Eimeria tenella in broilers in Al-Diwaniyah Province, Iraq
title_full_unstemmed Molecular detection and histopathological changes caused by Eimeria tenella in broilers in Al-Diwaniyah Province, Iraq
title_short Molecular detection and histopathological changes caused by Eimeria tenella in broilers in Al-Diwaniyah Province, Iraq
title_sort molecular detection and histopathological changes caused by eimeria tenella in broilers in al diwaniyah province iraq
topic broiler
eimeria tenella
iraq
pcr
poultry
url http://www.ejmanager.com/fulltextpdf.php?mno=226129
work_keys_str_mv AT thanaaismaeljawad moleculardetectionandhistopathologicalchangescausedbyeimeriatenellainbroilersinaldiwaniyahprovinceiraq
AT ghaidaaabassjasim moleculardetectionandhistopathologicalchangescausedbyeimeriatenellainbroilersinaldiwaniyahprovinceiraq