Abstract
Coccidiosis is an economically disease that caused by Eimeria spp. Small and large intestines are target tissues of this protozoan parasite. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of coccidial infection and pathology of coccidiosis of goats in Kerman, southeastern Iran, from February 2010 to July 2011. Faecal samples (approximately 3–5 g) were obtained from the rectum of 208 goats. The samples were determined microscopically for the presence of oocysts. 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. Results showed the presence of multiple species in 187 out of 208 analyzed samples (89.91 %). Nine different Eimeria species were identified: E. arloingi (68.26 %), E. christenseni (50.9 %), E. ninakohlyakimovae (41.8 %), E. caprina (31.7 %), E. alijevi (29.8 %), E. jolchijevi (26.92 %), E. apsheronica (22.59 %), E. hirci (11.05 %), and E. pallida (5.2 %). Goats were considered in three age groups (less than 2 years old, 2–3 years old and over 3 years old). Obtained data indicated that coccidiosis was relatively common among the goats in this area. The highest rate of oocyte counts were observed in goats over 3 years old and females were more affected than male. The sex and age of the goat had not significant effects on the prevalence of coccidiosis, as well. There was no significant difference in oocyte per gram during different months. Coccidial lesions occurred in the jejunum and ileum more than other parts of intestine. Grossly, the affected tissues revealed non-pedunculated whitish nodules. Histopathologically, these nodules were characterized as proliferative enteritis with presence of different stages of the Eimeria in the hyperplastic epithelium and mild inflammatory reaction. Parasitological, gross and microscopic examinations revealed Eimeria infection was common in goats of Kerman, southeastern Iran.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bakunzi FR, Thwane SN, Motsei LE, Dzoma BM (2010) Diversity and seasonal occurrence of Eimeria species in a mixed flock of communally reared sheep and goats in Mafikeng in the North West Province, South Africa. J S Afr Vet Assoc 81(3):148–150
Balicka-Ramisz A (1999) Studies on coccidiosis in goats in Poland. Vet Parasitol 81:347–349
Bandara NWRVN, Rajakaruna RS, Rajapakse RPVJ (2007) Identification and prevalence of Eimeria Spp. causing coccidiosis in goats in selected sites from Kandy and NuwaraEliya Districts. Proceedings of the Peradeniya University Research Sessions, Sri Lanka, 12(Part I):80–81
Cavalcante ACR, Teixeira M, Monteiro JP, Lopes CWG (2012) Eimeria species in dairy goats in Brazil. Vet Parasitol 183:356–358
Chartier C, Paraud C (2012) Coccidiosis due to Eimeria in sheep and goats: a review. Small Rumin Res 103:84–92
Deger S, Gul A, Ayaz E, Blcek K (2003) The prevalence of Eimeria species in goats in Van. Turk J Vet Anim Sci 27:439–442
Goz Y, Aydin A, Yuksek N, Deger S (2006) Frequency of coccidian species in goats in Van province of Turkey. Kafkas Univ Vet Fak Derg 12(2):163–165
Gul A (2007) The prevalence of Eimeria species in goats in Igdir. Turk J Vet Anim Sci 31(6):411–414
Hashemnia M, Khodakaram Tafti A, Razavi SM, Nazifi S (2012) Experimental caprine coccidiosis caused by Eimeria arloingi: morphopathologic and electron microscopic studies. Vet Res Commun 36:47–55
Jubb KVF, Kennedy PC, Palmer N (2007) Pathology of domestic animals, 5th edn. Academic Press Inc, Saunders Elsevier
Kaya G (2004) Prevalence of Eimeria species in lambs in Antakya province. Turk J Vet Anim Sci 28:687–692
Khodakaram Tafti A, Mansourian M (2008) Pathologic lesions of naturally occurring coccidiosis in sheep and goats. Comp Clin Pathol 17:87–91
Kimbita EN, Silayo RS, Mwega ED, Mtau AT, Mroso JB (2009) Studies on the Eimeria of goats at Magadu dairy farm SUA, Morogoro, Tanzania. Trop Anim Health Prod 41:1263–1265
McGavin MD, Zachary JF (2011) Pathologic basis of veterinary disease, 5th edn. Elsevier Mosby, London
Om H, Kumar S, Singh P (2010) Prevalence of coccidia in Mathura region of Uttarpradesh. Vet World 3(11):503–505
Radad K, Khalil S (2011) Coccidiosis, paratuberculosis and enterotoxaemia in Saudi goats. Braz J Vet Pathol 4(3):219–224
Rehman TU, Khan MN, Khan IA, Ahmad M (2011) Epidemiology and economic benefits of treating goat coccidiosis. Pak Vet J 31(3):227–230
Silva AC, Lima JD (1998) Eimeria minasensis n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in the domestic goat Capra hircus, from Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 93(6):741–744
Temizel EM, Demir G, Selcuk O, Catık S, Senlik B, Senturk S (2011) Effect of treatment with cylindamycine in an outbreak of coccidiosis in goat kids in Turkey. J Biol Environ Sci 5(13):37–40
Wang CR, Xiao JY, Chen AH, Chen J, Wang Y, Gao JF, Zhu XQ (2010) Prevalence of coccidial infection in sheep and goats in northeastern China. Vet Parasitol 174:213–217
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to appreciate the financial support of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran and also we wish to thank Mr. Hasanzadeh for their technical assistance.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kheirandish, R., Nourollahi-Fard, S.R. & Yadegari, Z. Prevalence and pathology of coccidiosis in goats in southeastern Iran. J Parasit Dis 38, 27–31 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-012-0186-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-012-0186-0