An Eimeria Species Detected in the Bile Duct and Gall Bladder Epithelial Cells of Japanese Quails

Abstract

Meronts, gamonts and oocysts were detected in the epithelium of the bile duct and gall bladder of dead Japanese quail Coturnix coturnix japonica from two different sources, and mature oocysts were isolated from the bile. Sporulated oocysts were morphologically identified as those of an Eimerian species. After inoculation of quail chicks with a small number of oocysts, the protozoan parasites were seen only enterocytes, while also in epithelial cells of the bile duct and gall bladder after inoculation with a large number of oocysts. The present species from quails seemed to be of E. bateri Norton and Peirce, 1971 in characteristics.