A case of elk (Cervus elaphus) coccidiosis in Korea

Yoon, Soon-Seek; Bae, You-Chan; Byun, Jae-Won; Lee, Kyeong-Hyun; Jang, Hwan; Song, Jae-Young; Wee, Sung-Hwan

Korean Journal of Veterinary Research 2010;50(2):151-154.

Soon-Seek Yoon, You-Chan Bae, Jae-Won Byun, Kyeong-Hyun Lee, Hwan Jang, Jae-Young Song, Sung-Hwan Wee

National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service

엘크의 구포자충 감염사례

윤순식, 배유찬, 변재원, 이경현, 장환, 송재영, 위성환

국립수의과학검역원

Abstract

A thirty-five week old elk was referred for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) confirmation from Chungnam province in Korea. Necropsy revealed much bloody contents in the lumen of small and large intestines, and reddening of its mucosa. Microscopically, few coccidia showing various developmental stages were infiltrated in lamina propria of small intestine with granulomatous inflammation and congestion. They were identified as Eimeria spp. according to their location and morphological characteristics. Because fecal examination and oocyst culture were not available, the species of the Eimeria could not be confirmed. There were no detection of pathogenic bacteria such as clostridia and virus in intestinal contents. CWD was shown to be negative in immunohistochemistry test. In conclusion, it was the first Eimeria case detected in small intestine of Korean domestic elk as far as we know although Eimeria spp. were not the main cause of death.

Key Words: coccidiosis, Eimeria, elk, histopathology, Korea