Attenuation of Eimeria caviae by selection for precocious development.

An attenuated line of Eimeria caviae was produced by selection for early maturation of oocysts during serial passage in guinea pigs. The prepatent period of the parasite was reduced from 11 to 6 days. Parasites of the precocious line and the parent strain were found in the crypts of the epithelial cells of caecum and colon and were morphologically indistinguishable. The period of development of type I, type II and type III merozoites of the E. caviae precocious line in guinea pigs was similar to that of the parent strain until the 3rd day. The time of the transition from gametocytes to oocysts was 2 days in both the precocious line and the parent strain. The maximum number of oocysts per gram of faeces and the pathogenicity of the precocious line were less than those of the parent strain.