Disaccharidase activity in the intestinal tissue of broilers infected with coccidia.

Maltase and sucrase activities were measured in the intestine of broilers inoculated with sporulated coccidial oocysts. Infection with Eimeria acervulina, E. maxima, E. necatrix, and E. brunetti decreased disaccharidase activity in the intestinal region in which maximum infection was found compared with the activity in uninoculated controls. The maximum reduction occurred on the first or second day of patency followed by a rapid recovery in activity. Disaccharidase activity was inversely proportional to the inoculum dose.