Parasitology Research

, Volume 108, Issue 5, pp 1171–1177 | Cite as

Epidemiology of Eimeria and associated risk factors in cattle of district Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan

  • Tauseef Ur Rehman
  • Muhammad Nisar Khan
  • Muhammad Sohail Sajid
  • Rao Zahid Abbas
  • Muhammad Arshad
  • Zafar Iqbal
  • Asif Iqbal
Original Paper
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence, species characterization, and associated risk factors with Eimeria of cattle of district Toba Tek Singh from April, 2009 to March, 2010. Of the total 584 fecal samples examined for Eimeria, 275 (47.09%) were found infected with six species of Eimeria. Among the identified species of Eimeria, Eimeria bovis was found to be the highest prevalent species (52.36%), followed in order by Eimeria zuernii, Eimeria canadensis, Eimeria ellipsoidalis, Eimeria alabamensis, and Eimeria cylindrica with prevalence of 48.27%, 34.83%, 29.31%, 24.14%, and 8.62% respectively. Peak prevalence was observed in August. Cattle were infected more frequently during rainy (60.32%) and post-rainy seasons (59.25%). Calves had significantly higher prevalence (P < 0.05) of Eimeria than adults while higher prevalence of Eimeria was observed in female cattle. Among management and husbandry practices, feeding system, watering system, housing system, floor type, and herd size strongly influenced the prevalence of Eimeria in cattle. Coccidiosis was more prevalent in ground feeding system, pond-watered animals, closed housing system, and non-cemented floor type (P < 0.05) as compared to trough feeding system, tap watered animals, open housing system, and partially cemented floor types, respectively. Breed and body condition of animals were not found risk factors (P > 0.05) influencing prevalence of Eimeria.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  • Tauseef Ur Rehman
    • 1
  • Muhammad Nisar Khan
    • 1
  • Muhammad Sohail Sajid
    • 1
  • Rao Zahid Abbas
    • 1
  • Muhammad Arshad
    • 2
  • Zafar Iqbal
    • 1
  • Asif Iqbal
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of ParasitologyUniversity of AgricultureFaisalabadPakistan
  2. 2.Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of AgricultureFaisalabadPakistan

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