Ovine coccidiosis and associated risk factors in Minya, Egypt

Background Coccidiosis is a potential protozoal disease of economic importance in sheep worldwide. The current study aimed to detect the prevalence of ovine coccidiosis and identification of the recovered species in Minya, Egypt. Three hundred and fifty sheep from Minia, Egypt, were coprologically examined for the occurrence of Eimeria species oocysts by using the standard floatation technique. Results Oocysts were detected in 180 (51.43%) animals. Mixed infection was recorded in 37.14% (130/350) and single infection was revealed in 14.29% (50/350) sheep. The prevalence of coccidiosis was significantly higher in young sheep. Fourteen Eimeria species were detected; Eimeria bakuensis, E. webybridgensis, E. ahusta, E. intricata, E. granulosa, E. faurei, E. ninakohlyakim-ovae, Eimeria coitae-like, E. parva, E. pallida, E. marsica, E. crandallis, E. ovinoidalis and E. arloingi. The most predominant Eimeria species was Eimeria parva (14.57%; 51/350) followed by E. ovinoidalis (14.0%; 49/350), E. granulosa (8.29%; 29/350), E. bakuensis (7.14%; 25/350), E. intricata (5.43%; 19/350), E. faurei and E. webybridgensis (4.86%; 17/350 each), E. pallida (4.0%; 14/350), E. ninakohlyakim-ovae (3.71%; 13/350), E. crandallis and E. ahsata (3.43%; 12/350 each), E. marsica and E. arloingi (1.71%; 6/350 each). The least abundant species was E. coitae-like (1.14%; 4/350). Conclusion Fourteen Eimeria species were recovered from sheep in Minya, Egypt; Eimeria bakuensis, E. webybridgensis, E. ahusta, E. intricata, E. granulosa, E. faurei, E. ninakohlyakim-ovae, Eimeria coitae-like, E. parva, E. pallida, E. marsica, E. crandallis, E. ovinoidalis and E. arloingi. Eimeria parva was the most common while E. coitae-like was the least. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report for the occurrence of E. coitae-like in sheep in Egypt. Prevention and effective control programs should be strictly followed to avoid economic losses resulted from the coccidian infection.