Two sporozoa are known to be pathogenic in the intestines of birds: the
=coccidium tenellum= and the =gregarina avium intestinalis=.
=Coccidium Tenellum.= This has a nearly globular body 21 to 25 mm. long
by 17 to 19 mm. broad, a very thin, delicate investing membrane, and has
been found in the mucosa of the cæca of birds, producing a fatal
typhlitis. The sporoblasts are developed in water outside the animal
body and when taken in with the food colonize in the intestinal mucosa.
=Gregarina Avium Intestinalis.= When mature this is in form of a
granular body with hollow spaces or utricles, is oval, or globular and
measures 40 to 48 μ in diameter. The spores are 11 to 14 μ. They are
found in the submucosa of the intestines in chickens, being taken in
with food or water, and attack not the intestines only but the skin, the
buccal and pharyngeal mucosa and even the liver and lungs. They traverse
the mucous membrane and become encysted in the submucosa as white
isolated or confluent points, disturbing the circulation and nutrition
and destroying the nutritive and other functional activities of the
mucosa.
_Lesions._ From the coccidium tenellum these are mainly found in the
cæca and consist in intense inflammation, white lines formed by the
parasitic colonies, desquamations of the epithelium and erosions and
ulcers. In the early stages and in the absence of diarrhœa there may be
simply thickening and induration of the mucous membrane and whitish
colonies of the parasites. When there has been diarrhœa the contents are
serous, or seropurulent, brick red, and filled with epithelial cells,
red globules, leucocytes, fat globules and coccidia.
The gregarinæ are not confined to the cæca but scattered over the whole
intestinal canal as white spots in the submucosa surrounded by
congestion and degenerative changes. It has been found complicated with
false membranes.
_Symptoms._ Dullness, anorexia, ruffled feathers, sunken head, trailing
wings, slow uncertain gait, plaintive cries, with diarrhœa, passing
through serous, brick red, and bloody. In small chicks it may be whitish
and followed by constipation. Death is usually an early result.
_Treatment._ Hyposulphite of soda with carminatives (fennel anise,
coriander, ginger, and gentian) has been given in boiled milk or bread.
Quinia and iodine might be tried.
_Prevention._ Avoidance of infected roosts and runs, and above all of
infected streams, wells and ponds, and the removal and cremation of the
sick, followed by thorough disinfection, are much more promising than
therapeutic treatment.