Prevalence and Microscopic Characterization of Eimeria Species Collected from Chickens in District Sialkot, Pakistan: Prevalence and Microscopic Characterization of Eimeria Species Collected from Chickens

Asma Waheed Qureshi; Meerub Sarfraz

doi:10.54393/mjz.v6i4.205

Authors

Asma Waheed Qureshi Department of Zoology, Government College Women University, Sialkot, Pakistan
Meerub Sarfraz Department of Zoology, Government College Women University, Sialkot, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/mjz.v6i4.205

Keywords:

Coccidiosis, Eimeria, Oocysts, Parasite Species

Abstract

Coccidiosis is a disease of poultry that causes severe economic losses to the poultry farmers. This disease is caused by the protozoan parasite belonging to the genus Eimeria. These parasites are prevalent in chickens in the Sialkot district. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of coccidiosis in chickens from District Sialkot and the microscopic identification of parasite species causing this infection. Methods: For this purpose, a total of 250 fecal samples were collected randomly from chickens from August, 2019 to January, 2020. Samples were analyzed by microscopy, and positive samples were processed by the sedimentation and flotation technique to isolate oocysts for identification. Chi-square was used to determine the relation of various factors to the disease. Results: Out of 250 samples, 117 were found positive for oocysts of Eimeria. Month-wise prevalence of disease was recorded as 45%, 52.72%, 60%, 42%, 36% and 20% during August, September, October, November, December, and January, respectively. The rate of infection was higher in October and lowest in January. The overall prevalence of infection during the study period was 46.8%. Infection was higher among the birds of age 3-8weeks (56.12 %) as compared to the 9-20 weeks age group (46.59%) and the >20 weeks age group (32.81%). A significant association (p=0.01) was observed between the age groups of chickens and the occurrence of disease. Conclusions: Current findings provide the baseline data of the disease in District Sialkot. The prevalence of Eimeria is very high and needs attention to develop control strategies before the onset of disease.

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