Prevalence of Eimeria Species in Sheep with A Special Reference to Vaccinated Pregnant Ewes for Maternal Immunity for the First Time

Abstract

Sheep coccidiosis is an infection of economic and medical importance and have been observed in almost all alive sheep rearing in the world. Examination of 928 sheep fecal samples from different localities in Kaloubia Governorate for detection of Eimeria infection revealed a prevalence rate of 72.5% (n= 673/928). The identified Eimeria species oocysts were Eimeria candelas (78.3%), E. granulosa (63%), E. ovinoidalis (41%), E. parva (31.5%), E. pallida (22.1%), E. intricata (6.8%), E. faurei (6.2%) and E. ahasta (4.9%). The prevalence rate was high in females (76.3%) as compared to males (68.3%). The incidence of infection peaked in winter (83.1%) followed by spring (80.8%), while the lowest rate was in summer (61.0%). High prevalence rate was recorded in ages > 6 months (90.8%), followed by 6-12months (73.6%), while the lowest rate was in sheep over 1 year of age (55.6%). Single infection was recorded in 26.6% of infected sheep. Double infection rate was in 29.7% while mixed infection rate was in 43.7%. With regard to breeds, Rahmany and Osemy breed showed the highest infection rate (80.9% and 73.9%; respectively). On the other hand, Baladi breed showed the lowest infection rate (58.3%). Immunized dam with UV attenuated Eimeria oocysts and their progeny showed a significant increase in both IgG and IgM as compared to non-immunized control group. Biochemical analysis Immunized dams and their progeny showed high level of albumin, Beta and Gamma concentration levels as compared to control dams and their progeny. Conclusion, it could be concluded that Egyptian sheep was infected by 8 species of Eimeria with predominant of Eimeria crandalis and Eimeria granulosa. New born lambs from immunized ewes have high serum immunoglobulin especially IgG compared to those from non-immunized ewes. Recommendation, Immunization of pregnant ewes by two doses UV irradiated Eimeria oocysts one month before parturition to give protection to their progeny.

Studies on Ovine Coccidiosis in Menoof District, Menoufia, Egypt

“…The morphological description and measurements of oocysts of recovered Eimeria spp. were reported and theses were similar to (Soulsby 1986;Ramadan et al, 2018 andEl-Alfy et al, 2020).…”

“…In present study, prevalence of Eimeria spp. in sheep was 33.3% and this rate was lower than (Ramadan et al, 2018) susceptible to coccidial infection than males. Also, (Yakhchali and Golami, 2008) founded that sex affects the infection rate of ovine coccidiosis.…”

“…These ovine Eimeria spp. were previously recorded from Egypt by (Ghanem and Abd El-Raof, 2005;Abou-El-Naga, 2010;Ramadan et al 2018;El-Alfy et al, 2020). The morphological description and measurements of oocysts of recovered Eimeria spp.…”

Ovine coccidiosis and associated risk factors in Minya, Egypt

“…In the present study, out of 350 fecal samples from sheep of various sexes and ages, 180 (51.43%) were infected with Eimeria spp. In Egypt, such result more or less coincided with those revealed by El-Akabawy [27] and Boshra [28] in Kaloubia, Nasr et al [29] in Sharkia, Bkheet et al [30] in Beharia, Ramadan et al [14] in Kaloubia, Mahmoud et al [31] in Assuit, Mohamaden et al [7] in Suez and El-Alfy et al [3] in Dakahlia who recorded infection rates 80.4, 80.76, 76.51, 70, 72.5, 65, 57.7 and 68.4%, respectively. Similarly, in Iraq, Sulaiman et al [32] detected that the prevalence of coccidiosis was 60.5%.…”

“…The disease might occur in clinical/subclinical form [11]. Clinical coccidiosis often induces potential losses for producers due to costs of medical treatment, adversely affected growth performance and sometimes death of lambs aged less than 3 months [12][13][14]. A high mortality rate is might be common in animals suffering from heavy bloody diarrhea [15].…”