We describe a laboratory model using Eimeria falciformis
and E. pragensis to investigate some of the interactions in double-species
infections of Eimeria. Mice were given trickle infections by oral
inoculation of 100 sporulated oocysts of one species
at 3 or 4 day intervals throughout the experiments and, once immunity had
developed, as indicated by cessation of oocyst
production, the animals were challenged with a single inoculation of the
other species. A trickle infection of E. falciformis
gave a significant enhancement of oocyst output from E. pragensis
infection as compared with animals that had not received
E. falciformis. Histological examination of the mice infected
with E. pragensis showed significantly more asexual parasites
and a significantly higher female/male ratio in the mice that had received
trickle E. falciformis infections than in those that
had not. There was no evidence to suggest that extra asexual generations
were occurring in these mice. In the converse
experimental protocol, trickle E. pragensis infections had no
significant effect on a single E. falciformis infection. We discuss
the possible mechanisms for the interactions and also how these interactions
may influence multiple species infections in animals in their natural habitats.