Studies on the host range of Eimeria chinchillae De Vos & Van der Westhuizen, 1968

Abstract

A case of an Eimeria sp. with a lack of host specificity is reported. Eimeria chinchillae DeVos & Van der Westhuizen, 1968, originally described from the chinchilla, was successfully transmitted to seven other rodents, viz. Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis (Smith, 1847), Rhabdomys pumilio (Sparrman, 1784), white mice, Otomys irroratus (Brants, 1827), white rats, Mystromys albicaudatus (Smith, 1834) and Arvicanthis niloticus (Desmarest, 1822). Of these, the first four species were more susceptible to infection than the last three and showed symptoms of coccidiosis and even mortality after administration of 400,000 sporulated oocysts. Susceptible chinchillas were infected with oocysts obtained from P. (M.) natalensis, R. pumilio, white mice and white rats. In the chinchilla the endogenous stages were found only in the caecum but in P. (M.) natalensis, R. pumilio and white mice small numbers were also found in the small intestine. The prepatent period of the infection in chinchillas was 8 or 9 days as compared to 7 or 8 days in the new hosts. The oocysts discharged by these animals were indistinguishable from those passed by chinchillas.