Luminal and mucosal microbiota in the cecum and ileum of Eimeria acervulina-infected and control broiler chickens

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Eimeria acervulina infection on the luminal and mucosal microbiota in the cecum and ileum of broiler chickens at multiple time points during infection. Infection affected alpha and beta diversity in the cecal luminal, cecal mucosal, and ileal luminal microbiota at varying time points for each region. Infection may also influence relative abundances of SCFA-producing bacteria in infected birds, a potential contributor to decreases in performance and health in infected birds.