Cecal mucosal response to coccidiosis in growing chickens.

The cecal mucosal changes of a subclinical coccidial (E. tenella) in chickens was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Oral inoculation was used and the mucosal surface of the ceca was studied. A control group from the same hatch of chickens was sampled simultaneously. The ceca from the infected birds was markedly smaller and contained some hemorrhagic areas. The control birds maintained a relatively smooth continuous epithelium throughout the study. During the infection, early fenestration was seen in the epithelium followed by its disruption. The crypts were easily seen as the disease progressed and in some cases the epithelium became denuded. The infective organism may inhibit replacement of degenerating epithelium.