The biology and epidemiology of Eimeria exigua, a parasite of wild rabbits invading the host cell nucleus.
Prevalence and intensity of infection with Eimeria exigua were studied by monthly sampling of caecal faeces of 254 wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from 5 localities in France (Arjuzanx, Versailles, Donzere-Mondragon, Massereau, Gerstheim) and by a single sampling in autumn in a small island off the coast of Britany (Beniguet). Intensity was heavier in young than in adult rabbits but usually remained low. It decreased from north to south, was at a maximum during autumn and winter, and declined in spring. Prevalences were relatively high and their rank (4th or 5th out of 10) was constant in all localities. Prevalences decreased from north-west to south-east; they increased progressively during autumn and winter, were at a maximum during spring and declined in summer. E. exigua developed in the ileum, at the top of the villi and inside the host-cell nucleus. It is distinguished from congeneric species by a number of features: micro-localisation, multiplication in autumn and winter rather than in summer, low intensity and high prevalence. These characteristics may be the consequence of a short schizogony phase and of strong resistance of oocysts.
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Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Laboratoire de Biologie Parasitaire (MNHN) et Laboratoire de Protozoologie et Parasitologie comparée (EPHE), 61 rue Buffon, F-75231 Paris, France.
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D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000469:parasitology*; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004539:Eimeria / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005602:France; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011817:Rabbits / Q000469:parasitology*; D013045:Species Specificity