Hepatic Coccidiosis of the Domestic Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus L. in Saudi Arabia

Four hundred and ninety domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus L.) were examined for hepatic coccidiosis using faeces and liver samples. Of the examined rabbits, 32.24 % were infected with the parasite Eimeria stiedae, the major causative agent of this disease. Various developmental stages of the parasite were observed in the liver and the bile duct. Numerous and scattered white nodules were recorded on the liver surface of infected rabbits. Histopathological lesions in the liver showed the following symptoms: severe congestion and dilation of central veins, rupturing of the lining endothelial, hyperplasia of the lining epithelial of portal areas with finger-like projections in lumen of the bile duct, congestion and dilation of sinusoids with haemorrhage areas. Multiple areas of coagulative necrosis of hepatic cells surrounded with inflammatory cells were found. The prevalence of infection and the effect of host age and sex on the rate of infection are discussed.