Eimeria spp. in captive-reared corncrakes (Crex crex): results of GeneScan assay consistent with high prevalence of infection and extra-intestinal life stages.

Eimeria spp. in captive-reared corncrakes (Crex crex): results of GeneScan assay consistent with high prevalence of infection and extra-intestinal life stages. Avian Pathol. 2018 Mar 13;:1-29 Authors: Serna H, Pocknell A, Sainsbury AW, Peniche G, Blake DP, Beckmann KM Abstract Eimeria crecis and Eimeria nenei have been detected in association with enteric disease ('coccidiosis') in the corncrake (Crex crex: Family Rallidae, Order Gruiformes). Both parasite species are common in apparently healthy free-living corncrakes, but captive-bred juvenile birds reared for reintroduction appeared particularly susceptible to clinical coccidiosis. We investigated the occurrence and relative pathogenicity of these Eimeria species in this juvenile corncrake population and developed a diagnostic species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for their identification. PCR amplification and sequencing of 18S rDNA was performed on genomic DNA extracted from samples of corncrake intestine, liver and spleen. Sequences generated were used to design a GeneScan diagnostic PCR assay targeting a species-specific TTA indel located within the 18S rDNA - the results suggested this assay was more sensitive than the 18S rDNA/amplicon sequencing approach. Eimeria sp. DNA (consistent with Eimeria sp. infection) was detected at a high prevalence and E. crecis was the predominant species. Each Eimeria species was detected in cases with and without histological evide...
Source: Avian Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Avian Pathol Source Type: research