Cross-sectional study of Eimeria species of poultry in Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Coccidiosis is one of the biggest challenges faced by the global poultry industry as the protozoan is found anywhere poultry are reared. Before now, there have been no documents on the intensity and diversity of Eimeria species of poultry in Kwara State. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and intensity of Eimeria species and its species diversity among poultry in Kwara Central, North-Central Nigeria. Five hundred and two fecal samples (from four hundred and seventy two chickens and thirty turkeys) were collected from chickens and turkeys from 15 farms from December 2017 to May 2018. The samples were subjected to floatation technique. Positive samples were further subjected to the McMaster counting technique for determining the intensity of infection. Sporulation of unsporulated oocysts was carried out using 2.5% potassium dichromate (K 2 Cr 2 O 7 ), for the purpose of identifying the different Eimeria species. Ninety five (18.9%) of the sampled population, 10 (66.7%) of the 15 sampled farms were positive for Eimeria species. The total mean oocyst per gram was 6325.0. Eight Eimeria species were detected in the study: 7 in chickens and 1 in turkeys. Eimeria tenella was the most predominant among chickens, E. meleagrimitis was the only species detected in turkeys. Age, sex, bird type, physiological status, farm age, farm size (acres), management system, frequency of anthelmintic use, frequency of anticoccidial use, distance to dumping site (meters), level of biosecurity and frequency of cleaning the pen were significantly associated (P \ 0.05) with the occurrence of Eimeria infection. It is envisaged that the information obtained in this study will contribute to a clearer understanding of the epidemiology of poultry coccidiosis, for better management protocol which will improve the productivity of the sector in Kwara State and Nigeria.

Prevalence, coinfection, and risk factors associated with Fasciola hepatica and other gastrointestinal parasites in cattle from the Peruvian Amazon

“…In addition, the risk factors associated with Eimeria spp. included origin, sex, and extensive breeding system, consistent with the previous studies [30,31]. The prevalence of STEs was 35.3% in the feces of all the studied cattle, consistent with the studies from Mantaro Valley (Junín Region, southern Peru), which showed 30% positivity, and Indonesia (35.7%).…”

“…In addition, the risk factors associated with Eimeria spp. included origin, sex, and extensive breeding system, consistent with the previous studies [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Cattle in and Around Hosanna Town, Southern Ethiopia

“…Finally, adult protozoans formed in cattle can be contaminated by oocysts, which can also infect pastures and water where protozoa will grow to sporulate. 50 Overcrowding, adult and calf cohabitation, poor farm management, lack of sanitation, and untreated cattle are all contributing factors to the high prevalence of protozoa.…”

Diversity of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) species and risk factors associated in natural infecting calves at the Southern Agreste Microregion in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil

“…Previous exposure to coccidia has been found to promote development of partial immunity, thus resulting in elimination of oocysts in smaller amounts (Bangoura & Bardsley, 2020). Development of clinical signs depends on several factors, such as immunosuppression, stress, exposure to high doses of sporulated oocysts and concomitant diseases (Worku et al, 2019;Ola-Fadunsin et al, 2020).…”

“…Epidemiological studies in which species infecting cattle were identified have been conducted (Lopez-Osorio et al, 2020;Macedo et al, 2020;Ola-Fadunsin et al, 2020). However, in some regions where cattle-rearing is a significant activity, these data are absent.…”