Haematological and biochemical studies on different isolates of Eimeria tenella infection in chickens

Chickens infected with different isolates (I, II and III) of Eimeria tenella revealed that amount of blood in faeces were maximum in isolate-III followed by the isolate -II and isolate-I. Haematological studies revealed that coccidial infection in all the infected groups caused significant decrease in the values of total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin and packed cell volume. The values of MCV and MCHC revealed that caecal coccidiosis resulted in macrocytic hypochromic anaemia in all the infected groups from 5^th to 7^th day PI. Biochemical studies revealed a significant decrease in serum total protein and albumin concentrations in all the infected groups on days 3 and 7 PI. Serum Zn concentration was significantly increased in all the infected groups on day 3 PI but there were significant reduction in serum Zn concentration on day 7 PI. The results of serum Cu concentration were almost opposite to serum Zn concentration. Serum Fe and Mn concentrations were significantly decreased in all the infected groups from days 3 to 7 PI though this decrease was more significant in isolate-III. It was concluded that the isolate-III was the most pathogenic followed by the isolate -II and isolate-I.