Study on Eimeria and Cryptosporidium infections in sheep and goats at ELFORA export abattoir, Debre-zeit, Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross sectional study on Eimeria and Cryptosporidium infections in small ruminants at ELFORA export abattoir was conducted from October 2005 to February 2006. In this study, attempts were made to determine the prevalence and intensity of Eimeria and Cryptosporidium infections in sheep and goats. Moreover, potential risk factors associated with the infections and the species of Eimeria and Cryptosporidium incriminated in the infections were identified. A total of 384 fecal samples were collected and examined by flotation technique using Sheather's sugar solution to detect the oocysts of Eimeria and Cryptosporiudium species. For Cryptosporidium infection, fecal samples were also examined under a microscope using modified Kinyoun acid-fast staining technique. Measurement of oocysts to identify the species involved in the infections and determination of oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG) was also conducted. Out of the 384 fecal samples examined, 59.6% of Eimeria infection was recorded. Statistically significant variation (P < 0.001) in the prevalence rate of Eimeria infection between animal hosts and different age groups was observed. There was no significant variation (P > 0.05) observed in the mean OPG values of Eimeria between the 2 age groups of the study animals.