Abstract
Coccidiosis in broiler chickens highly affects the economy for both producers and consumers. The later get a low quality meat due to anaemia induced by the parasite. The disease is characterized by lesions caused by seven host specific members of the family Eimeriidae of the phylum Apicomplexa. Collected positive samples of <i>Eimeria species</i> from broiler chickens were identified by measuring the dimensions of the sporulated oocyst. Seven species of <i>Eimeria</i> were detected using this method. When DNA was extracted and species specific primers were used to amplify <I>ITS1</I> gene using single specific primer PCR and multiplex PCR, only six species were identified. The accuracy of identification of broiler chicken <i>Eimeria</i> species using PCR is more reliable than the conventional methods like öocyst measurements or histopathology of the affected intestinal regions. This is indicated by the finding that <i>E. brunetti</i> which was identified morphologically by öocyst measurement, could not be identified molecularly. The mitochondrial genome sequences (<I>ITS1</I>) are highly suited for molecular diagnostics of coccidia and may be a potential genetic marker for molecular epidemiology of broiler chicken coccidiosis in the future in Sudan. The aim of this study is to determine and identify the species causing poultry coccidiosis in broiler chicken by traditional methods and molecular characterization using <i>ITS</i>.
Highlights
Eimeriasis in chickens is generally characterized by parasite replication in the intestinal mucosa leading to extreme intestinal damage, depending on the number of ingested sporulated öocyst, resulting in diarrhea, morbidity and mortality with consequent serious economic losses
Followed by E. necatrix (17.4%), E. acervulina (14.4%), E. praecox (11.4%), E. mitis (11.4%), E. maxima (5.7%), and E. brunetti (5.7%)
Molecular methods can be helpful in epidemiological studies of the parasite, an aspect that has been less investigated to date
Summary
Eimeriasis in chickens is generally characterized by parasite replication in the intestinal mucosa leading to extreme intestinal damage, depending on the number of ingested sporulated öocyst, resulting in diarrhea, morbidity and mortality with consequent serious economic losses It is the most prevalent poultry disease worldwide. These are Eimeria tenella (caecum), E. acervulina (upper half of the small intestine), E. brunetti (small intestine, rectum, caecum and cloaca), E. maxima (small intestine), E. mitis (lower small intestine) and E. praecox (no distinct lesions but decreased growth rate). Among these species, the most prevalent and worldwide are E. tenella followed by E. maxima and E. acervulina [l].
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