Abstract
Aim:To determine the prevalence and diversity of Eimeria spp. in dairy cattle present in and around Guwahati, Kamrup district, Assam, India.Materials and Methods:A total of 2339 fecal samples of calves (535), heifer (641) and adult (1163) cattle were screened for 1 year present in and around Guwahati, Assam for detection of Eimeria oocysts by flotation techniques. Sporulation of the oocyst was done in 2.5% potassium dichromate solution for identification of the Eimeria species.Results:Examination of fecal samples revealed an overall prevalence of 11.97% Eimeria infection in dairy cattle of Guwahati, Assam. Age-wise, 33.2%, 45.4%, and 21.4% infections were recorded in calves (<1 year), heifer (1-3 years) and adult (>3 years) cattle, respectively. Season-wise, infection was recorded highest during post-monsoon (16.29%), followed by monsoon (15%), winter (9.44%), and pre-monsoon (7.49%) season. Seven species of Eimeria were recorded viz. Eimeria bovis, Eimeria zuernii, Eimeria subspherica, Eimeria bukidnonensis, Eimeria auburnensis, Eimeria ellipsoidalis and Eimeria alabamensis. The oocyst count per gram of feces ranged from 50 to 1500 in infected cattle.Conclusion:This study indicates that there is the prevalence of seven species of Eimeria in dairy cattle of Guwahati, Assam and mostly prevalent during the post-monsoon season.
Highlights
Coccidiosis is one of the most pathogenic intestinal diseases caused by different species of Eimeria belonging to phylum-apicomplexa [1]
This study indicates that there is the prevalence of seven species of Eimeria in dairy cattle of Guwahati, Assam and mostly prevalent during the post-monsoon season
During monsoon season high prevalence of coccidia infection in calves was reported from Parbhani, Maharastra [12]
Summary
Coccidiosis is one of the most pathogenic intestinal diseases caused by different species of Eimeria belonging to phylum-apicomplexa [1]. They are responsible for huge economic losses to the livestock industry in terms of mortality and morbidity in young calves [2,3]. Clinical coccidiosis in cattle mainly depends on factors like species of Eimeria, the age of the infected animal, the number of oocysts ingested, the presence of concurrent infections and management practices [6]. More than 13 species of Eimeria and one species of Isospora have been described to infect cattle. Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernii are the most pathogenic species and associated with clinical coccidiosis under field conditions while other species have been shown
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
