. 2009 May 18:161–171. doi: 10.1016/B0-72-169377-6/50018-6

TABLE 16-2.

Comparison of Eimeria Species Infecting Rabbits

Species	Mean Size of Oocyst (mm)	Shape	Distinguishing Characteristics	Part of Digestive Tract Affected	Prepatent Period (days)	Pathogenicity
E. stiedae	37 × 20	Ellipsoidal	Smooth, light yellow wall; wide, thin micropyle; no residual body in oocyst; sporocyst with terminal knob (stiedae body)	Bile duct, epithelium	15–18	Variable
E. irresidua	38 × 26	Ovoid	Smooth, light yellow wall; prominent micropyle; small residual body; variable	Small intestine	7–8	Significant
E. magna	35 × 24	Ovoid to ellipsoidal	Dark yellow-brown wall; prominent micropyle with lipping; large residual body	Jejunum	6–7	Significant (serious diarrhea)^*
E. media	31 × 18	Ellipsoidal	Smooth, thick, light-pink wall; micropyle; large residual body	Small, large intestines	6–7	Moderate
E. perforans	21 × 15	Ellipsoidal	Smooth, colorless wall; indistinguishable micropyle; small residual body	Small intestine	5	Slight (nonpathogenic)^*
E. exiqua	15 × 13	Ovoid	Smooth wall; indistinguishable micropyle; no residual body	—	—	—
E. intestinalis	27 × 18	Ellipsoidal	Smooth, yellow wall; micropyle; large granular residual body	Ileum	10	Significant (very pathogenic)^*
E. matsubayashii	25 × 18	Ovoid	Smooth, light-colored wall; no residual body	Small intestine, cecum	7	Slight
E. nagpurensis	23 × 13	Barrel-shaped	Smooth, colorless wall; no micropyle; no residual body	—	—	—
E. neoleporis	39 × 20	Elongate ellipsoidal	Smooth, yellow wall; distinct micropyle; no residual body; sporocysts	Small intestine, cecum	12	Significant
E. coecicola	29 × 18	Ellipsoidal	Smooth, light yellow-brown wall; prominent micropyle; no residual body	Jejunum, ileum	9–10	Significant (nonpathogenic)^*
E. flavesceus	32 × 21	Broadly ellipsoidal	Smooth, light yellow wall; prominent micropyle; no residual body	Lower small intestine, cecum, colon	9	Significant (very pathogenic)^*

From Økerman L: Diseases of Domestic Rabbits, 2nd ed. Oxford, Blackwell Scientific, 1994.

Modified from Pakes SP, Gerrity LW: Protozoal diseases. In Manning PJ, Ringler DH, Newcomer CE, eds. The Biology of the Laboratory Rabbit, 2nd ed. San Diego, Academic Press, 1994, p 206.