Eimiria sp

Morphology and stadium

small basophilic
rounded cells
3 developmental stages:
1. Schizonts
2. Gamonts
3. Oocysts
Life cycle of Eimeria sp.
■ Following the ingestion of
sporulated oocysts by calf (D),
the sporozoites invade the epithelial
cells (E) or the lamina propria of the
host's small intestine. Sporozoites
inside host cells can round up as
a trophozoite (F), grow larger, and
become a first generation schizont,
or a megaschizont (G). The
megaschizont then releases
many merozoites which further
infect fresh host cells (H). There
may be several more schizogonic
generations for other Eimeria, but
two or three is usually the limit for
may of the important species.
Mechanism of Melena
Coccidiosis is seen universally, most commonly in
young animals housed or confined in small areas
contaminated with oocysts. Coccidia are opportunistic
pathogens; if pathogenic, their virulence may be
influenced by various stressors. Therefore, clinical
coccidiosis is most prevalent under conditions of poor
nutrition, poor sanitation, or overcrowding, or after the
stresses of weaning, shipping, sudden changes of feed,
or severe weather.
■ Infection results from ingestion of infective
oocysts. Oocysts enter the environment in the
feces of an infected host, but oocysts of Eimeria
and Isospora are unsporulated and therefore not
infective when passed in the feces. Under
favorable conditions of oxygen, humidity, and
temperature, oocysts sporulate and become
infective in several days. During sporulation, the
amorphous protoplasm develops into small
bodies (sporozoites) within secondary cysts
(sporocysts) in the oocyst. In Eimeria spp, the
sporulated oocyst has four sporocysts, each
containing two sporozoites; in Isospora spp, the
sporulated oocyst has two sporocysts, each
containing four sporozoites.
■ When the sporulated oocyst is ingested by a
susceptible animal, the sporozoites escape from the
oocyst, invade the intestinal mucosa or epithelial
cells in other locations, and develop intracellularly
into multinucleate schizonts (also called meronts).
Each nucleus develops into an infective body called
a merozoite; merozoites enter new cells and repeat
the process. After a variable number of asexual
generations, merozoites develop into either
macrogametocytes (females) or microgametocytes
(males). These produce a single macrogamete or a
number of microgametes in a host cell. After being
fertilized by a microgamete, the macrogamete
develops into an oocyst. The oocysts have resistant
walls and are discharged unsporulated in the feces.
Oocysts do not survive well at temperatures below
~30°C or above 40°C; within this temperature
range, oocysts may survive ≥1 yr.
Clinical signs of coccidiosis are due to destruction of
the intestinal epithelium and, frequently, the
underlying connective tissue of the mucosa. This may
be accompanied by hemorrhage into the lumen of the
intestine, catarrhal inflammation, and diarrhea. Signs
may include discharge of blood or tissue, tenesmus,
and dehydration. Serum protein and electrolyte
concentrations (typically hyponatremia) may be
appreciably altered, but changes in Hgb or PCV are
seen only in severely affected animals.
Different Diagnosis for Melena
■ Melena refers to the dark black, tarry feces that are
associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
■ The black color and characteristic strong odor are
caused by hemoglobin in the blood being altered by
digestive enzymes and intestinal bacteria.
Differential Diagnosis for Melena
Hematochezia
■ Hematochezia is the passage of fresh blood
through the anus, usually in or with
stools. Hematochezia is commonly associate
with lower gastrointestinal bleeding
■ associated with expulsion of fresh bright red blood
without stools.
Differential Diagnosis for Melena
Abomasal Ulcer
■ Common clinical signs include mild abdominal
pain, bruxism, sudden onset of anorexia,
tachycardia (90–100 bpm), and fecal occult blood
■ pale mucous membranes, weak pulse, cool
extremities, shallow breaths, tachypnea, and melena
Differential Diagnosis for Melena
Enteritis
■ Enteritis is inflammation of the small intestine.
■ Common causes = Shigella and E. coli (bacteria)
adenovirus, astrovirus and
calicivirus. (virus)
Differential Diagnosis for Melena
Bovine Viral Diarrhea
■ Caused by Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV), a
member of Pestivirus
■ Endemic

Sudarisman, 2011
 Reference

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/parasitology/
article/immunity-to-coccidiosis-stages-of-the-
lifecycle-of-eimeria-maxima-which-induce-and-are-
affected-by-the-response-of-the-
host/BA97A1109F43FA0AAB2846A75560EC1B
https://www.msdvetmanual.com/digestive-
system/coccidiosis/overview-of-coccidiosis
http://parasite.org.au/para-site/text/eimeria-text.html