Prevalence of Eimeria species among goats in northern Jordan

Fecal samples from 200 local goats in 13 goat farms in northern Jordan were examined during the period of August–November 1997. Eleven (85%) of 13 farms had Eimeria spp. and of 200 goats, 54% were infected with at least one Eimeria sp. Significantly (P<0.05) more young goats (<1 year) (66%, 39 of 59) were infected with at least one species of Eimeria compared to 49% (69 of 141) adult >1-year-old goats. Eight Eimeria species were identified for the first time in Jordanian goats. The Eimeria species identified from local goats were Eimeria arliongi, Eimeria caprina and Eimeria alijevi being most prevalent in the adults, and Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae, Eimeria apsheronica and E. caprina being the most common species amongst the kid population. In addition, Eimeria caprovina and Eimeria parva were found commonly in both age groups. The coccidia infection among the examined herds involved up to 100% of animals. Other parasites in both coccidia infected and coccidia free samples were also found in this survey. Strongyloides spp. prevailed in significantly higher rate in Eimeria spp. infected goats than Eimeria spp. free goats.