Impact of interaction between aflatoxicosis and cecal coccidiosis on broiler chickens

Abstract EN

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary aflatoxin on broiler chicks infected with Eimeria tenella in a battery trial.

A total of 120 broiler chicks were raised from one day to 35 days of age.

Chicks were assigned into 4 experimental groups.

The 1st group was infected with 5x104 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella / chick.

The 2nd group received a combination of E.

tenella infection and dietary aflatoxin (200 ppb).

The 3rd group received dietary aflatoxin alone.

The 4th group was kept as control.

The combination of aflatoxin and E.tenella caused higher mortality rate than aflatoxicosis and coccidiosis alone.

Final body weight and feed conversion ratio deteriorated in all treated groups.

Lesion scores and oocyst output were not significantly different in the 1st and 2nd groups.

The highest levels of liver function enzymes, ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and ALP (Alkaline phosphatase) were observed in the Eimeria- aflatoxin treated group.

Hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume were significantly decreased in the 1st and 2nd groups.

Histopathologically examination revealed that the lesions were more pronounced in Eimeria-aflatoxin treated group, particularly in the liver.

Cecal lesions were severe in the 1st and 2nd groups.

Bursa and thymus revealed alterations in the 2nd and 3rd groups which were indicative of deleterious effect on the immune system of birds.

The results indicated that combination of E.

tenella infection and aflatoxicosis in broiler chickens may exaggerate the course of coccidial infection.