Pathogenicity of Leucocytozoon caulleryi for specific pathogen-free laying hens

J Parasitol. 2001 Oct;87(5):1202-4. doi: 10.1645/0022-3395(2001)087[1202:POLCFS]2.0.CO;2.

Abstract

The pathogenicity of Leucocytozoon caulleryi against specific-pathogen-free laying hens was investigated. Many large schizonts (second-generation schizonts) of L. caulleryi were seen in the ovary and oviducts of chickens. Edema and pressure atrophy of the adjacent tissues were associated with these schizonts. The eggshell-secreting portion of the uterus exhibited the most severe damage in the oviduct. This experiment reconfirms that L. caulleryi may stop egg production in laying hens, presumably as a result of damage to ovaries and oviducts.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Apicomplexa / growth & development
  • Apicomplexa / pathogenicity*
  • Chickens*
  • Female
  • Histocytochemistry / veterinary
  • Ovary / parasitology
  • Ovary / pathology
  • Oviposition
  • Poultry Diseases / parasitology*
  • Poultry Diseases / pathology
  • Precipitin Tests / veterinary
  • Protozoan Infections, Animal / blood
  • Protozoan Infections, Animal / parasitology*
  • Protozoan Infections, Animal / pathology
  • Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
  • Uterus / parasitology
  • Uterus / pathology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan