Transverse study of Eimeria spp. infection in broiler and layer chickens in central Kashmir

AbstractThe present study was carried out to isolate and identify various species ofEimeria and to study overall prevalence of coccidiosis in central Kashmir (Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam). A total of 45 outbreaks, 15 from each district, of coccidiosis in chicken were recorded over the period of two years. A total of 15, 15, 10 and 5 outbreaks were recorded in chicken of 2 –3, 3–4, 4–5 weeks of age and layers, respectively. The overall mortality in the flocks was 2.6%, with the highest mortality of 3.2% recorded in the age group of 3–4 weeks. An overall prevalence of coccidiosis among the total necropsies was 10.63%. A total of seven different species ofEimeria were identified in broilers and layers namelyE. tenella, E. acervulina, E. maxima, E. necatrix, E. mitis, E. praecox andE. brunetti. Among these species,E. tenella (39.7%) was recorded with highest andE. brunetti (3.1%) with lowest prevalence in broilers, whereas, in case of layersE. necatrix (27.7%) recorded highest andE. mitis, E. praecox andE. brunetti (2.7%) recorded the lowest prevalence. Morphometrically, oocyst ofEimeria maxima (30.4  × 20.8 μm) andEimeria mitis (16.21  × 16.0 μm) exhibited the largest and smallest sizes, respectively. Most of theEimeria species had a sporulation time of 18  h with highest inEimeria maxima (30  h) and lowest inE. praecox (12  h).
Source: Journal of Parasitic Diseases - Category: Parasitology Source Type: research