Failure of Mepacrine Hydrochloride to eliminate Oocysts from the Fæces of Rabbits Chronically Infected with E. stiedæ

Abstract

THE proposal to introduce lapinized virus as a prophylactic agent in the control of rinderpest in cattle in Nigeria has raised a number of problems associated with the maintenance of large colonies of rabbits. A survey carried out to determine the incidence of infection with E. stieœ in existing stock showed that one of the most important of these problems would be that of controlling coccidiosis among them. This survey showed that all the forty rabbits examined were passing oocysts in the fæces. As this did not appear to be an entirely satisfactory prelude to the inauguration of extensive breeding activity, it was decided to try the effects of one of our newer coccidiostatic agents, mepacrine hydrochloride, in the treatment of coccidiosis, when this, as in the case of the animals referred to above, had reached the chronic stage.