Malek, S., Kuraa, H. (2018). Detection and Identification of Eimeria species in Naturally Infected Calves at Assiut Governorate. Zagazig Veterinary Journal, 46(1), 60-69. doi: 10.21608/zvjz.2018.7624
Safaa S. Malek; Huda M. Kuraa. "Detection and Identification of Eimeria species in Naturally Infected Calves at Assiut Governorate". Zagazig Veterinary Journal, 46, 1, 2018, 60-69. doi: 10.21608/zvjz.2018.7624
Malek, S., Kuraa, H. (2018). 'Detection and Identification of Eimeria species in Naturally Infected Calves at Assiut Governorate', Zagazig Veterinary Journal, 46(1), pp. 60-69. doi: 10.21608/zvjz.2018.7624
Malek, S., Kuraa, H. Detection and Identification of Eimeria species in Naturally Infected Calves at Assiut Governorate. Zagazig Veterinary Journal, 2018; 46(1): 60-69. doi: 10.21608/zvjz.2018.7624
Detection and Identification of Eimeria species in Naturally Infected Calves at Assiut Governorate
1Animal Medicine Department (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University
2Animal Health Research Institute, Assiut Laboratory
Abstract
The current study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of Eimeria species among 75 diarrheic calves in Assiut Governorate. Oocysts of Eimeria spp. were found in 46.7% (35/75) of the examined fecal samples from diarrheic calves using light microscope and 88% (22/25) by using PCR. Very high significant difference of Eimeria infection was recorded in calves 3-6 months of age, 73.3% (22/30) and 1 week-3 months of age 28.9% (13/45). The prevalence of Eimeria spp. in calves with diarrhea showed the highest rate in summer (69.2%), followed by winter (36.4%), autumn (25%) and spring (7.7%). Eight species of Eimeria were isolated by parasitological examination. The prevalence of Eimeria spp. was E. zuernii (51.4%) followed by E. bovis (31.4%), E. alabamensis (31.4%), E. cylindrica (25.7%), E. subspherica (14.3%), E. canadensis (11.4%), E. ellipsoidalis (5.7%) and E. auburnensis (2.9%). Single infection of Eimeria spp. was found in 48.6% of the infected calves, whereas mixed infection involved two, three or four Eimeria spp. was observed in 51.4% of the infected calves. In conclusion, season and age of the calves were the most significant aspects connected with the possibility of infection with coccidiosis The PCR is a more reliable, sensitive and less time-consuming approach for diagnosis of Eimeria.