Influence of intestinal coccidia infection of rabbits upon plasma and fecal protein levels, and plasma and urinary urea and creatinine levels

Abstract

Two groups of rabbits, with 10 animals each, were artificially infected with varying doses of sporulated intestinal coccidia oocysts. The infectious material was composed of oocyst of several rabbit intestinal coccidia species: Eimeria flavescens, Eimeria matsubayashi, Eimeria magna, Eimeria neoleporis, Eimeria perforans and Eimeria media. A third group of 10 rabbits served as the control. Following the artificial infection and a 3-4 day incubation period, a subclinical form of the disease was induced in most rabbits while 3 animals developed full-blown disease with diarrhoea. Shortly before and then on days 4, 7, and 10 after the infection, levels of the following plasma constituents were determined: total proteins, albumin, immunoglobulin G, urea and creatinine. Additionally, urea and creatinine were measured in urine samples, and protein levels were determined in feces. In plasma a decrease in total protein, albumin, urea and creatinine concentrations was found, whereas an increase in immunoglobulin G levels occured. A rise in urinary urea and creatinine, and fecal proteins was found. The changes in concentration of the measured substances in blood, urine and feces were dependent on the number of inoculated infectious oocysts.