NATURAL CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SP INFECTION IN B ROILER-CHICKENS IN MOROCCO

The prevalence of cryptosporidium infection was assessed in 38 broiler flocks. Two-hundred-and-twenty-five broilers were subjected to clinic al and post-mortem examinations. Analyses of impression smears and tis sue samples fi om the intestine, bursa of Fabricius and trachea reveal ed Cryptosporidium sp, in 37% of broiler flocks investigated. The prev alence of infection within flocks varied from 14 to 100%. High inciden ce of Cryptosporidium infection occurred in 36 to 45-day-old broilers (52%), but Cryptosporidium was not found in chickens under 25 days of age. Cryptosporidium sp. was detected in 24% of bursa examined, intest ine (15%) and trachea (2%). In the bursa of Fabricius, Cryptosporidium -induced epithelial lesions were associated in most cases (94%) with l ymphoid atrophy and depletion.