The Effect of Physical and Chemical Agents on the Oocysts of Eimeria tenella

Abstract

The prepatent period of coccidiosis produced by E. tenella in chicks is 160-165 hrs. Both segmented and unsegmented oocysts are killed in 10 min. at 55[degree]C. moist heat. The thermal death time of unsegmented oocysts is inversely proportional to the degree of heat used (24 hrs. at 45[degree] C.[long dash]5 sec. at 80[degree]C.). One zinc sulphide unit of ultra-violet kills unsegmented oocysts. Of 8 disinfectants used, colloidal iodine, cresol, and phenol produced 100% mortality of unsegmented oocysts in less than 48 hrs.