Prevalence of sheep and goat coccidiosis in different districts of Tigray region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Prevalence study of coccidiosis was conducted in Mekelle, Regional state of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, using a cross sectional approach. A total of 384 faecal samples were examined, the overall positive for the parasite was 86.19% of which, 87.31%, in sheep and 85.03% in goats. Sex and species did not significantly influence (p > 0.05) the trend of infection. The prevalence of identified pathogenic species present in sheep were Eimeria crandallis 5(3.22%), E. ovindallis 8(5.16%) and mixed infection 142(82.59.6%). The prevalence of pathogenic species from goats were E. arloingi 27 (30 %), E. ninakohlyakimovae 12(13.33%), E. christenseni 8(8.89%) and mixed 43(47.78%) infections. There was significant (p < 0.05) difference observed in prevalence of coccidia spp. in Mocharae compared with the other study sites. The overall prevalence of pathogenic Eimeria species was 63.8 %, while the prevalence of that in sheep and goats were 78.68% and 48.13% respectively. Species, sex and age of animals in this case significantly influenced (p < 0.05) the prevalence of pathogenic Eimeria species. The females (74.87%) significantly (p < 0.05) had higher infection rates than males (53.3%). Animals of age 3 months (91.13%) had significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence rates than 4-6 months (59.86%) and 7-12 months (38.94%). Conclusively, prevention and effective control programs should be targeted towards the most predisposed females and younger animals.

Keywords: Eimeria; Coccidiosis; Prevalence; Oocyst; Small Ruminant