Intestinal parasitism and nutrient absorption
Turk, D.E.
Federation Proceedings 33(1): 106-111
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-9446 PMID: 4810195 Document Number: 77302
Coccidial infections (Eimeria sp.) in chickens provide a good model for studying the effect of intestinal parasites on host nutrition. The effects of intestinal parasitism on the host's ability to absorb nutrients depends on: the nutrient studied, the area of the digestive tract parasitized, the stage of the parasite infection cycle and the severity of the infection. Through use of localized parasitic infections, the most critical areas for fat absorption have been located in the duodenum, while jejunal infections most critically affected Zn and protein absorption. Ca was uniformly absorbed along the intestinal tract, but Ca absorption was not affected by caecal parasitism. Parasitic infections of the ileum, caeca and colon had minimal effects on nutrient absorption except for Ca and, possibly, Zn. Large increases in nutrient absorption were found immediately after recovery from acute parasitic attacks. These increases in nutrient absorption were correlated with increased growth rates in the growing chicks. Changes in absorptive cell structure and mitochondrial structures were seen which correlated with the parasitic infection cycle and the changes in nutrient absorption. Nearly all the abnormal structures previously reported in cells stressed by disease were found in the parasite-infected cells.