Determination and Diversity of Bovine Coccidia in Zabol, East of Iran.

The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of Eimeria spp. in Zabol, east of Iran. The samples were examined microscopically for the presence of oocysts from February 2015 to December 2016. Out of 196 cattle, 124 (63.26%) were identified to be positive for Eimeria species. Eight species of Eimeria were found as follows: E. bovis (42.54%), E. zuernii (38.67%), E. subspherica (5.52%), E. brasiliensis (4.97%), E. ellipsoidalis (4.41%), E. cylindrical (1.65%), E. pellita (1.65%), and E. wyomingensis (0.55%). Multiple infections with two or three species were identified in 56 (45.16%) and 2 (1.61%) cases, respectively. The infection rate was observed to be higher in calves (75%) as compared to adult cattle (59.02%). The prevalence of Eimeria was greater in female cattle (67.94%). The highest prevalence and mean number of oocysts were observed in winter (69%) and autumn (209.09), respectively. All the faecal samples had an oocysts per gram of feces (OPG) less than 1000. The prevalence of infection and mean OPG were directly correlated with rainfall and relative humidity and inversely correlated with temperature. Considering the high prevalence of bovine coccidiosis in Zabol, increasing awareness of farmers and veterinarians regarding the economic importance of bovine coccidiosis should be regarded as an important factor in preventing and controlling the infection.

The prevalence of ovine Eimeria infection in Rudsar, North of Iran, (2011-2012).

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Eimeria infection in sheep in Rudsar, North of Iran, in period of 1 year (March 2011 to March 2012). The samples (approximately 3-5 grams of faeces) were collected from the rectum of 270 sheep and transferred to the parasitology laboratory. Eimeria species were identified following sporulation of faeces in a thin layer of 2.5 % potassium dichromate for one or 2 weeks at 27 °C. Out of 270 faecal samples examined, 170[(63.0 %; 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) 56.9-68.7)] were positive for Eimeria spp. Five species of Eimeria, including E. ahsata, E. ovina, E. crandallis, E. parva and E. ovinoidalis were identified in faecal samples by modified McMaster technique. The most frequent species was E. crandallis. Sheep were considered in four age groups (less than 1 year old, 1-2 years old, 2-3 years old and over 3 years old).The results also indicated that less than 1 year old sheep have greater infection ratio as compare with older animals. Female had significantly higher prevalence of Eimeria than male. Higher infection was seen in females compare to males and in winter compare to summer. Parasitological gross and microscopic examinations revealed Eimeria infection is common in sheep of Rudsar, North Iran.