Prevalence and risk factors of Eimeria spp. natural infection in sheep from northern Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

The present study aimed to perform an epidemiological and morphological identification of Eimeria infection in sheep in Brazil. Fecal samples from sheep were collected from 20 farms in northern Paraná, Brazil. An epidemiological questionnaire was used to evaluate the risk factors. Fecal samples containing oocysts per gram of feces (OoPG) ≥1000 were subjected to the modified Willis-Mollay method to perform oocyst identification. Sporulated oocysts were observed microscopically for morphological identification. A total of 807 fecal samples were collected. Based on the morphological characteristics of the sporulated oocysts, 10 species of Eimeria were identified, with main species observed: Eimeira ovinoidalis (98.1%), Eimeria crandallis (87.6%), Eimeria parva (79.1%), and Eimeria bakuensis (60.8%). Only 2.6% (7/268) of the sheep were infected with a single species, 4.8% (13/268) contained two different species, and 92.5% (248/268) were infected with three or more species. The analysis of risk factors showed that an intensive rearing, no rotation of pasture, dirt, and slatted floors, and age up to 12 months were associated with infection. This study showed a high prevalence of Eimeria natural infection in sheep from northern Paraná, Brazil. Furthermore, based on the risk factors, good management and hygiene practices must be employed to avoid infection.

Gastrointestinal Parasites of Domestic Mammalian Hosts in Southeastern Iran

“…In this study, lambs were 3.5 times more likely to be infected by coccidian parasites than adult sheep, indicating that age is one of the main factors influencing the occurrence of protozoasis in these ruminants (p = 0.037). In accordance with the result of the present study, other surveys conducted in Brazil, Ethiopia, Iran, and Nigeria have also reported a significantly higher prevalence of coccidiosis in lambs compared to adult sheep (p < 0.05) [70][71][72][73]. The high susceptibility of young animals is related to immunological aspects, with adults acquiring specific immunity against protozoa after initial exposure [74].…”

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Coccidiosis in Goats in Slaughter Center, Manokwari Regency, West Papua Province, Indonesia: Epidemiological Aspects

“…Young goats (age < 12 months) (95.9%) were more affected than adult goats (87.2%). In this study, age is one of the important risk factors for Eimeria infection in sheep (Carneiro et al 2022), however, another study reported that different age groups of animals were similarly exposed to Eimeria spp. (de Macedo et al 2020).…”

“…may be related to physiological factors such as due to stress, reduced immune system performance during pregnancy, cyclic parturition, and lactation, and its natural bodily resistance to parasites declines (Owusu et al 2016). However, males experience infection more frequently than females (Carneiro et al 2022). Male animals may be more susceptible to infections because of immunosuppression brought on by increased plasma levels of androgens hormone, particularly testosterone, during the reproductive season (Souza et al 2015).…”

“…It is frequently observed in young animals and livestock, including goats and sheep (Daniel et al 2013;Mohamaden et al 2018), and results in loss of livestock productivity (Mpofu et al 2022). The prevalence of coccidiosis in goats varies depending on the region, management practices (Rehman et al 2011;Daniel et al 2013;Hiko and Rorisa 2016;de Macedo et al 2020), and age of the animals (de Macedo et al 2020;Mpofu et al 2020a;Carneiro et al 2022;Mohamed et al 2023). Due to suitable environmental factors for gastrointestinal parasite spread (Zeryehun 2012), such as the host's poor nutritional state (de Macedo et al 2020) and inadequate hygiene in rural areas (Badran et al 2012), this issue is, however, significantly more critical in tropical countries.…”

Hematological and biochemical indicators of lambs’ blood after the use of chemotherapeutic agents for spontaneous eimeriosis

“…In the case of coccidiosis, a parasitic infestation of the intestines, wet weather is known to promote incidences in livestock (Lopes et al, 2013). The analysis of risk factors showed that intensive rearing, no rotation of pasture, dirt, and slatted floors, and age up to 12 months were associated with infection (Carneiro et al, 2022).…”