The fine structure of the endogenous stages of Eimeria labbeana: 2. Mature macrogamonts and young oocysts.

The fine structure of the mature macrogamonts and intracellular oocysts of Eimeria labbeana from the ileal mucosa of experimentally infected Pigeons (Columbia livia) was investigated and described. The macrogamont reached a maximum size of 12.0 x 9.5 mum (average equals 10.8 x 8.8 mum), and was located within a narrow parasitophorus vacuole. Most of the macrogamonts were limited by two membranes. Intravacuolar tubules, 1.2 mum long and 58 nm in diameter, established direct connections between the parasite and the host cell. Each tabule was composed of 9 subunits arranged around the central lumen. Cytoplasmic canaliculi were composed of bundles of microtubule-like structures (8-10 nm wide). Type 1 wall-forming bodies reached a maximum size of 1.8 x 1.5 mum, and many had centric or eccentric electron transparent portions within them. They were frequently seen lodged within peripherally-located mitochondria. Type 2 wall-forming bodies averaged 1.5 mum in diameter. The role of the two types of wall-forming bodies in forming the outer and inner layers of the wall of the oocyst was similar to that in other species of Eimeria. The oocyst wall was 0.2 mum thick and composed of a limiting membrane (20 nm thick), an outer layer (75 nm thick), and an inner layer (100 nm thick).     

The fine structure of the endogenous stages of Eimeria labbeana. 3. Feeding Organelles.

The fine structure of the feeding organelles of the endogenous developmental stages of Eimeria labbeana from the ileal mucosa of the common Pigeon, Columba livia, is described and compared with similar structures of other species of Eimeria. Intra-cytoplasmic, membrane-bound vesicles of varying shapes and dimensions, and pinocytotic vesicle, were seen in association with cup-shaped or v-shaped invaginations in early schizonts, early macrogamonts, and macrogametes. Deep invaginations, averaging 1.7 x 0.5 mu in size, and found on the surface of early schizonts, early and young macrogamonts, and developing microgamonts, apparently function as organelles of ingestion and breakdown of host-cell cytoplasm. Micropores were rarely seen in schizonts and never in microgametes. The merozoite had one typical micropore (850 x 680 A) and a number of micropore-like invaginations. Micropores of the microgamonts averaged 610 x 580A, and those of macrogamonts and macrogametes averaged 1,220 x 780 A. A typical micropore was observed in an early oocyst. Intravacuolar tubules, each 580 A in diameter and composed of nine microtubule-like subunits, were observed only in about 1 per cent of the more than 4,000 macrogametes studied. This paper establishes that E. labbeana is a species that possesses all the known organelles associated with feeding, expect the intravacuolar folds.     

Fine Structure of the Endogenous Stages of Eimeria labbeana. I. The First Generation Merozoites

SYNOPSIS. The fine structure of the 1st generation merozoites of Eimeria labbeana from the ileal mucosa of artificially infected pigeons ( Columba livia ) was investigated and described. The 1st generation merozoites which appeared between 36-48 hr after infection averaged 4.4 × 2.1 μm in size. The 3-membraned pellicle was irregular in texture and harbored a single micropore, and many micropore-like invaginations. Closely apposed to the inner pellicular membrane were seen 22 microtubules, each 22–25 nm in diameter. An apical vesicle, 50 nm in diameter, seen at the anterior extremity, was connected with the common duct of the micronemes. The conoid consisted of 9 spiral elements, each 30 × 25 nm. The paired organelle (rhoptries) varied in length (1.4–2.2 μm), and the ductules (23 nm diameter) were composed of 2 inner tubules, each 6 nm in diameter. A unit membrane enveloped the partially alveolar and differentially osmiophilic interior of the bulbous regions of the rhoptries. The "rod-like structure"was found to be tubular and represented the common duct of the micronemes.     

Effect of ozone treatment on Eimeria colchici oocysts

The effect of ozone on the inhibition of the sporulation of Eimeria colchici oocysts in vitro was examined. Lower sporulation ratios were found to correspond directly to longer ozone exposure time. In pheasants, Phasianus colchicus, orally inoculated with ozone-treated oocysts, lower mortality and lower oocysts per gram of feces were observed as compared with birds given untreated oocysts. Thus, treatment of E. colchici oocysts with ozone alone was observed to partially inhibit the growth and infectivity of the oocysts.     

The appearance of bisporocytic oocysts of Eimeria maxima in drug-treated chicks.

A line of Eimeria maxima acquired resistance to Lerbek (a mixture of clopidol and methyl benzoquate) after serial passage against rising drug levels. Abnormal bisporocystic oocysts which appeared throughout this series were picked out individually and these produced infections in further groups of chicks. Serial passages of selected bisporocystic forms raised their proportion in oocyst yields to about 80% after 10-14 passages, but a few normal oocysts were still present.     

Effect of gamma-irradiation on oocysts of Eimeria necatrix.

Effect of gamma radiation on oocysts of Eimeria necatrix was investigated. It was observed that oocysts exposed to 200 kR or above did not sporulate. Irratiation at 10-150 kR caused a progressive decrease in sporulation. Irradiation affected normal development of unsporulated oocysts as the zygote protoplasm divided into unequal masses or was shattered into granules. Increase in the intensity of irradiation of sporulated oocysts resulted in the progressive decrease in severity of the resultant infections in chicks and their effects - mortality, type of lesions developed, total oocyst production and immunity produced - were comparable with infections induced by decreasing the number of unirradiated oocysts. Infection produced by 1000 unirradiated oocysts was comparable with that resulting from 50 000 oocysts irradiated at 25 kR. Infection obtained with 20 000 unexposed oocysts approximated to that produced by 50 000 oocysts irradiated at 2-5 kR. It was concluded that irradiation abolished infectivity of the oocysts/sporozoites rather than bringing about attenuation of the parasite.     

Effect of anaerobic digestion on oocysts of the protozoan Eimeria tenella

The effect of anaerobic digestion of poultry waste on oocysts of the protozoan Eimeria tenella, a common enteric pathogen that causes coccidiosis in poultry, was investigated in this study. Thermophilic (50 degrees C) and mesophilic (35 degrees C) anaerobic digestors, with poultry manure as the substrate, were inoculated with the oocysts. The oocysts were damaged during anaerobic digestion, as determined by morphological change and loss of their ability to sporulate. The recovered oocysts were tested for their infectivity in young chicks, as measured by body weight gain, mortality, and cecal lesions. Oocysts lost all their infectivity during thermophilic digestion, while oocysts subjected to mesophilic digestion remained moderately infective in comparison with untreated oocysts, which produced severe coccidiosis, high mortality, and low body weight gain in chicks. Oocysts were inactivated at 50 degrees C when they were suspended in digestor fluid or saline. Inactivation at 35 degrees C was significantly stronger in the digestor fluid than in the saline, which implied that factors other than temperature were involved in the lethal effect of anaerobic digestion on protozoan oocysts. In this study we demonstrated that the treatment of animal waste by anaerobic digestion, especially at a thermophilic temperature, has the benefits of pathogen control and protection of human and animal health in a farm environment.     

Effect of anaerobic digestion on oocysts of the protozoan Eimeria tenella.

The effect of anaerobic digestion of poultry waste on oocysts of the protozoan Eimeria tenella, a common enteric pathogen that causes coccidiosis in poultry, was investigated in this study. Thermophilic (50 degrees C) and mesophilic (35 degrees C) anaerobic digestors, with poultry manure as the substrate, were inoculated with the oocysts. The oocysts were damaged during anaerobic digestion, as determined by morphological change and loss of their ability to sporulate. The recovered oocysts were tested for their infectivity in young chicks, as measured by body weight gain, mortality, and cecal lesions. Oocysts lost all their infectivity during thermophilic digestion, while oocysts subjected to mesophilic digestion remained moderately infective in comparison with untreated oocysts, which produced severe coccidiosis, high mortality, and low body weight gain in chicks. Oocysts were inactivated at 50 degrees C when they were suspended in digestor fluid or saline. Inactivation at 35 degrees C was significantly stronger in the digestor fluid than in the saline, which implied that factors other than temperature were involved in the lethal effect of anaerobic digestion on protozoan oocysts. In this study we demonstrated that the treatment of animal waste by anaerobic digestion, especially at a thermophilic temperature, has the benefits of pathogen control and protection of human and animal health in a farm environment.     

Effect of chromium compounds on sporulation of Eimeria piriformis oocysts.

Freshly defecated unsporulated oocysts of Eimeria piriformis from rabbit were treated with various concentrations (1%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10%) of chromium compounds, potassium dichromate, potassium chromate, chromium oxide and chromium nitrate, to examine their effect on sporulation. The sporulation time of oocysts treated with 1 to 10% K(2)Cr(2)O(7) was 28 h. However, much longer sporulation times of about 60 h were required for oocysts treated with 2.5% CrO(3) and Cr(NO(3))(3). Moreover, for oocysts treated with distilled water, 1% K(2)CrO(4) and 10% K(2)CrO(4), the sporulation times required were 216, 156 and 96 h, respectively. Thus, potassium dichromate was found to have higher catalytic activity for the sporulation of E. piriformis oocysts than other chromium compounds.     

On the status of Eimeria nieschulzi oocysts embedded in resin eleven years ago: a permanent method for preserving coccidian oocysts

Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria nieschulzi that were fixed and mounted on glass slides in polymerized resin in 1976 are examined. Size, shape, and integrity of oocysts and sporocysts are compared to similar observations we made in 1977 and reported in 1978 (Journal of Parasitology 64: 163-164). Our conclusion is that the methods we reported on in 1978 provide one opportunity to produce permanent specimens of sporulated oocysts that could be made available for deposit in nationally accredited museums.