Coccidiosis in a kudu antelope
Schillhorn van Veen, T.W.; Trapp, A.L.; Daunt, D.; Richter, N.A.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 189(9): 1178-1179
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 3505973 Document Number: 281564
Coccidial oocysts (20/low-power field) were found in the faeces of a one-year-old Tragelaphus strepsiceros in Detroit Zoo, USA, 13 days after its arrival from Dallas Zoo. 2 days later (day 15) the antelope did not eat. Treatment for coccidiosis (5 ml of amprolium/gallon of drinking water) was begun but the antelope died. At necropsy large numbers of coccidial stages were seen in the section of ileum examined. The various developmental stages were located in the crypt epithelium with a few equivocally extending below the basement membrane. Most of the parasites were below the epithelial cell nuclei. The stages identified were microgamonts, macrogametes, zygotes and oocysts. Zygotes and oocysts were found in the subcapsular sinus adjacent to the capsule or adjacent to trabeculae of the lymph node. A direct smear of a faecal specimen contained large numbers of coccidial oocysts (>500/low-power field), most of which were elongated slightly and had a small micropyle. The origin of the infection was not determined.