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Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of hepatic coccidiosis in rabbits. Methods: A total of 30 White New Zealand rabbits of both sexes, aged 4-6 weeks and weighing 600-700 g, were divided into three groups. The first group of rabbits received probiotics (100 mg/L) in drinking water for 12 days, while the second group of rabbits served as a positive control. Both groups were challenged with 1 × 105 Eimeria stiedae oocysts. The third group of uninfected rabbits served as the negative control. The effects of probiotic treatment on fecal oocysts output, body growth gain, liver enzymes, red blood cell count, hemoglobin level, packed cell volume, lymphocytes count and histopathological lesions were observed. Results: Compared to the positive control, rabbits treated with probiotics exhibited no diarrhea or mortality, and there was a significant reduction in fecal oocysts output. Additionally, body growth gain was significantly higher in probiotic-treated rabbits compared to the positive control. Furthermore, liver enzymes and white blood cell counts were decreased in treated rabbits, while red blood cells, hemoglobin, packed cell volume and lymphocyte count were elevated. Severe histopathological lesions were observed in the bile ducts and hepatic parenchyma of positive control rabbits compared to probiotic-treated and negative control groups. The study findings were statistically significant, with P values ranging from less than 0.001 to less than 0.05. Conclusions: Probiotics significantly improve the health performance of rabbits with hepatic coccidiosis by reducing pathological changes and stabilizing hematological parameters. Additionally, this product maintains substantial normal liver enzymes levels in infected rabbits, making it a safe and effective treatment for hepatic coccidiosis in rabbits.

Coccidiosis is one of the most prevalent diseases found in local rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), which is caused by the Eimeria. The study aimed to more reliably identify Eimeria species (Eimeria magna) infecting Local Rabbits in Alkarg City, Saudi Arabia, based the method on the molecular properties and morphological and molecular biological techniques. Sub-spheroidal oocysts measuring 21-27 × 12-16 (24 × 14.4) μm (20 n) and with a length/width (L/W) ratio of 0.9-1.1 (1.0) were identified by microscopic analysis of a fecal sample. Oocysts feature a bi-layered wall that is 1.0-1.2 (1.1) μm thick. About two-thirds of the wall's thickness is made up of a smooth outer layer. A polar granule is present, but neither a micropyle nor an oocyst residuum is present. The ovoidal sporozoites measure 15-18 × 8-11 (16.5 × 9.5) μm, have an L/W ratio of 1.6-1.8 (1.7), and take up around 21% of the oocyst's total surface. The mean size of the sub-Stieda body is 1.4 × 2.3 μm, while the average size of the Stieda body is 0.9 × 1.8 μm. The para-Stieda body is lacking. Sporocyst residuum appears membrane-bound and has an uneven form made up of several granules. With two refractile bodies below the striations and pronounced striations at the more pointed end, sporozoites are vermiform, measuring an average of 11.6 × 4.0 μm. The results of the sequencing for the 18S rDNA gene confirmed the species of Eimeria parasites found in the host (rabbits). The current parasite species is closely related to the previously described and deposited E. magna and deeply embedded in the genus Eimeria (family Eimeriidae). According to the findings, single oocyst molecular identification of Eimeria may be accomplished through consistent use of the morphological and molecular results. It is possible to draw the conclusion that the current research supplies relevant facts that help assess the potential infection and future control measures against rabbit coccidiosis to reduce the financial losses that can be incurred by the rabbit industry in Saudi Arabia., (© 2024 International Society of Protistologists.)

Eimeria media is a principal pathogen responsible for rabbit coccidiosis, targeting the rabbit's intestinal epithelial cells. This parasitism damages the intestinal mucosal barrier, initiating a systemic immune and inflammatory response that jeopardizes the sustainable growth of rabbit farming. To understand the implications of infection on the host's immune and metabolic responses, we employed RNA-Seq to analyze RNA from the liver and duodenum tissues of post-infected rabbits infected with both the precocious line and wild-type strain of E.media. Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis revealed that the two parasites exhibit divergent transcriptomic imprints on host tissues. While the precocious line predominantly modulates immune-centric pathways with significant differential gene enrichment, wild-type strain favors pathways that affect metabolism. In addition, our study pinpointed a set of genes that undergo significant modifications in response to these effects. These revelations grant a fresh avenue to probe deeper into the symbiotic intricacies of the E.media and its rabbit host., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: The threat of immune escape and the discovery of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, as well as the failure of certain conventional drugs that are already in use for the symptomatic treatment of diseases, have prompted a re-evaluation of ancient therapeutic remedies such as phytotherapy, and aromatherapy. In this context, the present study aims to shed light on some medicinal plants mostly used by the population of the Daraa Tafilalet region to strengthen their immune systems, and to provide an up-to-date literature review on this subject. Materials and Methods: A survey study was conducted using pre-prepared questionnaires addressed to the population of the Daraa Tafilalet region. MS Windows Excel and SPSS software were used for statistical analysis and results presentation. In addition, for the literature review, searches were conducted across several databases, including Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, using medicinal plants, date products, enhance immunity, and essential oils as keywords. Results: Among 142 participants interviewed, 108 used medicinal plants to improve their immune systems. However, 34 interviewers prefer conventional medicine. Date palm fruits and oregano were the most commonly used medicinal plants by the Daraa Tafilalet population to enhance the immune system, followed by anise, lavender, rosemary, thyme, and pennyroyal. These results are supported by literature data. Conclusion: These results reflect the interesting traditional medical knowledge of this population, which merits being documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eimeria stiedae is one of the few eukaryotic pathogens that exclusively infect the liver and serves as a good model to study the host–pathogen interactions in this vital organ. In this study, we show that rabbits infected with E. stiedae develop severe but self‐healing cholangitis. RNA‐seq analysis of the liver gene expression landscapes over the long course of E. stiedae infection identified 912 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the prepatent period (794 up‐ and 118 downregulated genes), 2889 DEGs in the early oocyst shedding period (1870 up‐ and 1019 downregulated genes), 2859 DEGs in the peak oocyst shedding period (1923 up‐ and 936 downregulated genes), and 327 DEGs in the recovery period (164 up‐ and 163 downregulated genes). Combined with pathological observations, we identified dynamic changes in host–parasite interactions involving multiple pathways. They showed that E. stiedae infection induced full‐blown inflammatory, Th1 and Th17 immune responses at all time points. This was associated with the strong innate immune responses during the prepatent period, including increased Toll‐like and NOD‐like receptor signaling. Despite mounting several damage control and repair responses, such as PI3K‐Akt signaling, Ras signaling, and extracellular matrix‐receptor interactions, the liver underwent severe metabolic dysfunction, oxidative damage, and coagulopathy after patency and at peak infection, possibly as a result of suppressed peroxisome activities and downregulated PPAR signaling. These responses largely disappeared during late infection, suggesting that the liver self‐heals after severe cholangitis. These data provide new insights into host–pathogen interactions during Eimeria infection and improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of parasitic cholangitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nematode, cestode, protozoan, microsporidian, and pentastomid parasites affect domesticated and wild rabbits, hares, and jackrabbits of the genera Brachylagus, Lepus, Oryctolagus, Pentalagus, and Sylvilagus. Some endoparasite infections are of limited or no significance, whereas others have potentially profound consequences. Accurate identification of endoparasites of rabbits, hares, and jackrabbits is an important facet of the work of veterinary pathologists engaged in lagomorph pathology. Here I review endoparasites from the pathologist's perspective, focusing on pathogenesis, lesions, and implications of infection. Stomach nematodes Graphidium strigosum and Obeliscoides cuniculi are infrequently pathogenic but may cause gastritis and gastric mucosal thickening. Nematodes Passalurus ambiguus, Protostrongylus spp., Trichostrongylus spp., and Trichuris spp. are rarely associated with disease. Adult Capillaria hepatica (syn. Calodium hepaticum) nematodes and non-embryonated eggs cause granulomatous hepatitis in wild Oryctolagus cuniculus and Lepus europaeus, resulting in multifocal, off-white, hepatic lesions, which may be misdiagnosed as hepatic eimeriosis. When the rabbit is an intermediate host for carnivore cestodes, the space-occupying effects of Cysticercus pisiformis and Coenurus serialis may have pathologic consequences. Eimeria stiedai is a major cause of white-spotted liver in O. cuniculus, particularly in juveniles. Enteric coccidiosis is a noteworthy cause of unthriftiness in young animals, and frequently manifests as diarrhea with grossly appreciable multifocal off-white intestinal lesions. O. cuniculus is the natural host for the zoonotic microsporidian Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Infection may be acute and focused mainly on the kidneys, or it may follow a chronic disease course, frequently with neurologic lesions. A latent carrier status may also develop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest in causes of mortality of free-ranging, native North American lagomorphs has grown with the emergence of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2). Over the years 2013–2022, the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study received 119 Sylvilagus spp. case submissions from the central and eastern United States, comprising 147 rabbits. Most (86%) of these submissions occurred after detecting RHDV2 in the United States in 2020. Laboratory data from these rabbits were retrospectively evaluated for major causes, contributors to mortality, and pathogen detections. Gross and histologic examination was performed for 112 rabbits. Common primary causes of death included trauma (n = 49), bacterial disease (n = 31), emaciation (n = 6), and parasitism (n = 6). Among the 32 rabbits with bacterial disease, 12 were diagnosed with tularemia and 7 with pasteurellosis. Rabbits with pasteurellosis had disseminated abscessation, septicemia, and/or polyserositis. Less commonly, cutaneous fibroma (n = 2), notoedric mange (n = 2), encephalitozoonosis (n = 2), neoplasia (round-cell sarcoma; n = 1), and congenital abnormalities (n = 1) were diagnosed. RHDV2 was not detected in 123 rabbits tested. Although RHDV2 has not been detected in wild lagomorphs in the eastern United States, detections in domestic rabbits from the region emphasize the need for continued surveillance. Furthermore, continued surveillance for Francisella tularensis informs public health risk. Overall, increased knowledge of Sylvilagus spp. health furthers our understanding of diseases affecting these important prey and game species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant food production generates a lot of by-products (BPs). These BPs are majorly discarded into the environment, polluting it, or into landfills where they just decompose, providing no benefit and taking up storage space, causing financial costs. These plant BPs are biodegradable, but reusing them may provide a better outcome and profit. The vast majority of plant-based food BPs are polysaccharide polymers like gums, lignin, cellulose, and their derivatives. It is possible to utilize plant food production waste, like banana peels, leaves, pseudostems, and inflorescences, to produce bioethanol, single-cell protein, cellulase, citric acid, lactic acid, amylase, cosmetics, fodder additives, fertilizers, biodegradable fibers, sanitary pads, bio-films, pulp and paper, natural fiber-based composites, bio-sorbents, bio-plastic, and bio-electricity in the agro-industry, pharmaceutical, bio-medical, and bio-engineering fields. Moreover, the use of banana BPs seems to be a way of dealing with many issues in underdeveloped countries, providing a clean and ecological solution. The suggested idea might not only reduce the use of plastic but also mitigate waste pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coccidiosis, caused by the protozoan Eimeria, is a significant disease in poultry farms worldwide, leading to substantial economic losses. Triazines, benzene-aceto-nitrile derivatives, are widely employed in the field of veterinary healthcare to combat the hazardous impacts of protozoan parasite infestation comprising coccidiosis. The current research was designed to investigate the pharmacokinetic profile of diclazuril, a member of triazines, in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) and domestic pigeons (Columba livia) following single oral administration at 0.3 mg/kg body weight. 78 Quails (male: female, 1:1, 7 weeks old) and 78 pigeons (male: female, 1:1, 4 weeks old) were randomly divided into 13 groups for each species (n=6 birds/group). Plasma samples were obtained at various time intervals (at time 0 [preceding diclazuril administration], and 0.5, 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, and 168 hours after diclazuril administration) to determine its concentration utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The noncompartmental approach was applied to assess the pharmacokinetic parameters via the aid of WinNonlin 8.3 software. In quails and pigeons, the peak plasma concentrations were 5.35 and 9.14 µg/mL attained at 8 hours, respectively. Additionally, the elimination half-lives (T1/2-z) were 30.74 and 26.48 hours, and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to the last sample (AUC0-last) values were 155.67 and 343.57 µg h/mL, respectively. The mean residence time was 30.71 hours in quails and 39.68 hours in pigeons. Diclazuril exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics after oral administration at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg in quails and pigeons. However, to adjust the dosage regimen for curing coccidiosis, a future study is warranted to determine the clinical efficacy against coccidia infection. Moreover, further investigation is needed to evaluate the tissue residues and calculate the withdrawal time of diclazuril in quails and pigeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ethno-veterinary practices could be used as a sustainable developmental tool by integrating traditional phytotherapy and husbandry. Phytotherapeutics are available and used worldwide. However, evidence of their antiparasitic efficacy is currently very limited. Parasitic diseases have a considerable effect on pig production, causing economic losses due to high morbidity and mortality. In this respect, especially smallholders and organic producers face severe challenges. Parasites, as disease causing agents, often outcompete other pathogens in such extensive production systems. A total of 720 faecal samples were collected in two farms from three age categories, i.e. weaners, fatteners, and sows. Flotation (Willis and McMaster method), modified Ziehl–Neelsen stained faecal smear, centrifugal sedimentation, modified Blagg technique, and faecal cultures were used to identify parasites and quantify the parasitic load. Results: The examination confirmed the presence of infections with Eimeria spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Balantioides coli (syn. Balantidium coli), Ascaris suum, Oesophagostomum spp., Strongyloides ransomi, and Trichuris suis, distributed based on age category. A dose of 180 mg/kg bw/day of Allium sativum L. and 90 mg/kg bw/day of Artemisia absinthium L. powders, administered for 10 consecutive days, revealed a strong, taxonomy-based antiprotozoal and anthelmintic activity. Conclusions: The results highlighted the therapeutic potential of both A. sativum and A. absinthium against gastrointestinal parasites in pigs. Their therapeutic effectiveness may be attributed to the content in polyphenols, tocopherols, flavonoids, sterols, sesquiterpene lactones, and sulfoxide. Further research is required to establish the minimal effective dose of both plants against digestive parasites in pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For years, there has been an increasing interest in natural alternatives to the conventional coccidiostats applied as feed additives, which have been used for decades to prevent coccidiosis in poultry and fattening rabbits. This study aimed to compare the possible anticoccidial effects of oregano oil to the established substance diclazuril in growing rabbits. The control group (CG) received a non-supplemented basal compound feed, to which either diclazuril (1 mg/kg; DG) or oregano oil (75 mg/kg; OG) was added. In each of the three trials, subgroups of 50 rabbits each were assigned to one of the three experimental groups (CG, DG and OG). Natural Eimeria infection was monitored weekly by fecal oocyst counts and Eimeria species identification following sporulation. Additionally, the performance parameters were determined at the middle and the end of the trials, and the deceased rabbits were subjected to necropsy. Neither oocyst excretion nor the performance parameters differed significantly between the three experimental groups. Eimeria media, Eimeria magna, Eimeria perforans and Eimeria exigua were identified as the occurring species. The highest animal losses (16.0%) occurred in the OG, while the losses were 12.7% in the DG and 12.0% in the CG. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Overall, neither diclazuril nor oregano oil was superior to the non-supplemented feed. This underlines the importance of diagnostics, as this study's results indicate that in the absence of the highly pathogenic Eimeria species, economic rabbit rearing and fattening is achievable without the use of coccidiostats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thymus daenensis is a phenol-rich species of the Thymus genus that possesses many biological and pharmaceutical activities. Methods: This study used five groups of TDLE extract (50, 100, 200 and mg/mL). Distilled water and mebendazole (10 mg/ml) were used as negative and positive controls. Five worms of similar size were placed in each Petri plate, together with the extract test solution (20 mL). The present work aims to study the phytochemical profiling, evaluation of anticancer properties and in vitro oocysticidal activity of methanolic T. daenensis leaves extracts (TDLE). Result: Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) of TDLE proved eleven different active classes of chemical compounds. The extract is characterized by higher phenolic contents (250.5±2.7 mg/g of gallic acid) and flavonoids (25±0.3 mg/g of quercetin). Also, TDLE showed moderate cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) and lung cancer cell lines (A549) using MTT assay with LC50 attributed to 388.66±3.5 μg/ml and 354.33±2.5 μg/ml, respectively. The in-vitro study revealed that TDLE concentrations of 300 mg/ml caused significant suppression of Eimeria. papillata oocysts sporulation and increased percent of sporulation inhibition compared to the other commercial products which showed different levels of sporulation. Our findings indicate that TDLE has anticoccidial activity, which encourages the conduct of numerous In vivo investigations to find an effective treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coccidiosis is one of the most common diseases that hinder the raising of rabbits. The disease causes symptoms such as diarrhea and loss of appetite. Acute infection causes bloody feces and negatively affects fertility. Diarrhea may be bloody due to the intestinal epithelium withering off as many oocysts and merozoites burst out of the cells. This leads to the deaths of rabbits resulting in huge economic losses for commercial rabbit systems. Methods: The study aims to determine the optimal effective concentration of bile collected from healthy sheep gall bladder inhibiting in vitro sporulation and viability of E. magna and E. exigua oocysts and sporozoites isolated from rabbit intestine. Un-sporulated oocysts were exposed (1×102) to six treatments: 2.5% potassium dichromate solution as the non-treated control, four concentrations of bile (12.5%, 25%, 50% and 100%) and Toltrazuril 25 mg/ml as traditional medicine for anti-oocyst activities. In addition, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/mL concentrations of bile were evaluated for effect on sporozoite viability. The oocysts were examined after 25, 50, 75 and 100 hours and sporozoites after 12 and 24 hours of treatment. Result: GC-Mass analysis showed that sheep bile contains 12 biologically active compounds. In addition, quantitative analysis revealed total phenols (50.65±0.5) and total flavonoids (9.39±0.4). After 100 hours of exposure, sheep bile was able to prevent sporulation of E. magna and E. exigua oocysts at 100% and 50% concentrations and the rate of inhibition was about 96% and 79%, respectively. Additionally, bile exhibited the least discouraging of 11% at a dose of 125 mg/mL and the highest suppression of 95% of E. magna and E. exigua sporozoites viable at 1000 mg/ml. Generally, the inhibition rate typically increased with longer incubation times and greater doses. Findings have scientifically validated the use of bile in fighting against coccidiosis. Additional studies are required to separate the active compounds found in bile and their mechanisms of action and potential applications in rabbit farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raising rabbits has vital sustainable development features, as a sustainable development system of meat production strongly relies on its efficacy. The development system of meat production is correlated with the animals' capability for converting feed to meat. Weaning possess a marked stress on rabbits, because of lack of their normal caecal microbiota, hence young rabbits became more vulnerable to diseases. Numerous antibiotics alternatives have been successfully utilized, such as herbal medicines as natural supplements in animal feed. The leaves of Moringa Oleifera could potentially be utilized as a growth promoter due to their antimicrobial activity, antioxidant properties, hepato-protective effect, preservation of renal function, and hypocholesterolemic activity. Twelve recently weaned V-Line rabbit bunnies about four weeks of age and average body weight of 0.74±0.07 were separated equally to feed either normal-prepared rabbit feed (Control group (C); n=6) or moringa-prepared feed (Moringa Oleifera group (MO); n=6) for 4 weeks. Performance (feed intake, body weight, and weight gain), behavior, and serum biochemical analysis (oxidative stress, liver, and kidney function) were assessed. Results revealed that the incorporation of MO in recently weaned rabbit feed enhanced their performance and behavior, as well as lipid peroxidation and glutathione didn't differ significantly and preserved liver and kidney function. In conclusion, MO plays a crucial role in weaning stress alleviation via their antioxidant, hepatic and renal function preservation and their positive effects on rabbit bunnies' performance and behavior. Hence, the data suggests the use of MO leaves as a feed additive for rabbit bunnies to alleviate weaning stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gross pathology and the histopathological alterations identified in juvenile specimens of the European hake (Merluccius merluccius), one of the most important target species of commercial fisheries in the northwest Mediterranean, are described. A qualitative and semi-quantitative histological approach was performed in specimens from 2007 and 2019. Prevalence and mean intensity of parasites and histopathological changes were calculated in both years. No macroscopic alterations were found in any organ but several parasites (e.g., copepods, nematodes, digeneans) were detected. Microscopically, alterations identified in gills included foci of inflammation and hyperplasia (present in 77.38% of hakes from both years), extensive hyperplasia (33.33%), and inflammation (16.65%) that were potentially related to the mechanical effects of monogeneans and copepods, cysts of unknown etiology (62.69%), and lamellar inflammation associated to Aporocotyle spinosicanalis eggs (8.33%). Granulomas and inflammatory focus were detected in the liver, spleen, and stomach, apparently associated with the presence of nematodes. Coelozoic myxosporean parasites were detected within the renal tubules (66.66%). Most of the pathologies detected were similar to those described in other gadoid species (i.e., Gadus morhua) and were usually related to the presence of ecto and endoparasites. The potential impact of parasites on the health of this fish species is discussed for improving the knowledge and management of these valuable fishing stocks., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Fish Biology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Fisheries Society of the British Isles.)