The Prevalance of Cryptosporidiosis in Broilers at Elazığ District

Authors: Nihal KÜÇÜKERDEN, Gülçin ÖZTÜRK, Muhammet ANGIN

Abstract: In this study, bursa of Fabricius and small intestine of 454 broiler chicks, 1 to 45 days of age, were examined for Cryptosporidium sp. and degenerative changes in this organs. Cryptosporidia were detected by Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining, sucrose flotation technique and histopathologic examination. Bursal and intestinal Cryptosporidia were found in 8.1 % and 4.4 % of birds, respectively. Some cryptosporidium-infected birds had diarrhea. There were villous atrophy, infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells and vacuolisation of epithelium in small intestines. In addition to these lesions there was lymphofollicular atrophy in bursa of Fabricius. Several developmental stage of Cryptosporidium sp. oocyst attached to the epithelial cells surface were observed.

Keywords: Broiler, Cryptosporidium sp., bursa of Fabricius, small intestine