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Prevalence of Eimeria Species, Detected by ITS1-PCR Immobilized on FTA Cards, in Future Laying Hens and Breeding Hens in Six Provinces in Northeastern Algeria

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Abstract

Purpose

Avian coccidiosis is an important and widely distributed disease that affects global agricultural economies through losses. In Algeria, there is limited epidemiological and ecological knowledge about this disease and this hinders implementation of control strategies. A recent study, in Algeria, demonstrated a high prevalence and diversity of Eimeria species in broiler chickens. However, very little is known about the Eimeria species that exist on chicken farms raised on the floor and older than broiler chickens (for example, future laying hens and breeding hens) in Algeria.

Methods

Samples were collected from 32 poultry farms located in 6 northeastern Algerian provinces (Algiers, Batna, Bejaia, Bordj Bou Arréridj, Jijel, Mila). These included 22 pre-laying pullet farms, with hens aged between 11 and 17 weeks, and 10 breeding hen farms with older hens (over 20 weeks). FTA cards were used to capture DNA and internal transcribed Spacer 1 PCR (ITS1-PCR) was used to determine the prevalence and composition of Eimeria species in the chickens.

Results

This showed the presence of six species of Eimeria with a diverse prevalence range. Eimeria necatrix (63%) was the most common species, followed by E. maxima (53%), E. tenella (31%), E. brunetti (19%), E. acervulina and E. mitis (both 0.3%). Eimeria praecox was absent. Eimeria infection affected all farms studied where co-infections by different Eimeria species (63%) were more frequent than single infections (38%). The number of oocyts, per ml of enriched oocyst suspension was higher in breeding hen farms compared to pre-laying pullet farms.

Conclusion

This study, taken alongside a previous study involving broiler farms, demonstrated that the infection with this parasite is a significant problem in Algeria.

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Data Availability

The datasets analyzed during the aim study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

The authors have no relevant financial or non- financial interests to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Recherche de Pathologie Animale Développement Des Elevages Et Surveillance de La Chaine Alimentaire Des Denrées Animales Ou d’origine Animale (PADESCA), Institute of Veterinary Sciences, University of Constantine1, Constantine, Algeria

    Ouarda Ayadi & Samir Djemai

  2. Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Ferhat Abbas University, Setif 1, Setif, Algeria

    Ouarda Ayadi

  3. Biomedical Research Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK

    Geoff Hide

Authors
  1. Ouarda Ayadi
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  2. Samir Djemai
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  3. Geoff Hide
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Contributions

Dr AYADI Ouarda wrote the manuscript and carried out the statistical analysis and the preparation of the map, Dr DJEMAI Samir carried out the practical part and he contributed to the improvement of the writing, Pr. GEOFF hide contributed in the writing of the manuscript and in the analyses of laboratory.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ouarda Ayadi.

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Ethical Approval

Ethical aspects of this research were considered and none were deemed necessary: the project was based on collection of faecal material and did not involve direct collection or handling of animals. All activities revolved around normal farming practices with no interference beyond that.

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Ayadi, O., Djemai, S. & Hide, G. Prevalence of Eimeria Species, Detected by ITS1-PCR Immobilized on FTA Cards, in Future Laying Hens and Breeding Hens in Six Provinces in Northeastern Algeria. Acta Parasit. 69, 439–445 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-023-00773-z

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