Interaction of reovirus and Cryptosporidium baileyi in experimentally infected chickens.
No clinical signs, gross lesions, or increased mortality were observed in specific-pathogen-free chickens orally inoculated at 5 days of age with Cryptosporidium baileyi, reovirus 2035, reovirus 2408, or combinations of these agents. Weight gain of chickens inoculated with only reovirus 2408 was depressed 0-8 days postinoculation (PI) (P less than 0.01) but not for the 21-day period PI. Weight gain of chickens inoculated with only reovirus 2035 was not affected. Cryptosporidium baileyi infection significantly depressed weight gain 8-14 days PI but not for the entire 21-day period PI. Weight gain of chickens infected with both C. baileyi and reovirus 2035 was significantly depressed 0-14 days PI and for the entire 21-day period PI. Dual infection with C. baileyi and either reovirus appeared to promote shedding of both agents. Cryptosporidia were found principally in the rectum 2-10 days PI and in the bursa of Fabricius 6-10 days PI. Reovirus infection did not cause any microscopic lesions and did not modify lesions caused by C. baileyi infection.
Guy
J S
JS
Department of Microbiology, Pathology, and Parasitology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606.
Levy
M G
MG
Ley
D H
DH
Barnes
H J
HJ
Gerig
T M
TM
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology; D012087:Reoviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012088:Reoviridae Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013154:Spleen / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D015430:Weight Gain