Influence of experimental Eimeria zuernii infection on clinical blood chemistry in calves

Coccidiosis, often caused by Eimeria zuernii infection, is an important diarrhoeal disease in calves [Fitzgerald, P.R., 1980. The economic impact of coccidiosis in domestic animals. Adv. Vet. Sci. Comp. Med. 24, 121–143]. Infection trials were performed to investigate the effects of experimental E. zuernii coccidiosis on clinical blood chemistry in calves. Three groups of calves were formed: group 1 (n = 14) served as uninfected control group, group 2 (n = 11) was infected with 150,000 sporulated E. zuernii oocysts per calf, and group 3 (n = 16) was infected with 250,000 sporulated E. zuernii oocysts per calf. Measurements throughout the prepatent and the patent period revealed a marked influence of E. zuernii infection on the following parameters: total protein, albumin, urea, bilirubin, creatine kinase, free fatty acid concentration, and cholesterol. Aberrances in these were most pronounced in group 3.No significant and/or distinct changes after infection could be detected in blood glucose concentration.E. zuernii infection impairs intestinal function and induces catabolic metabolism in affected calves. Bilirubin, urea and cholesterol concentration, and creatine kinase activity were particularly affected indicating catabolism of protein and lipids.