Determination and diversity of bovine coccidia in Zabol, east of Iran

The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of Eimeria spp. in Zabol, east of Iran. The samples were examined microscopically for the presence of oocysts from February 2015 to December 2016. Out of 196 cattle, 124 (63.26%) were identified to be positive for Eimeria species. Eight species of Eimeria were found as follows: E. bovis (42.54%), E. zuernii (38.67%), E. subspherica (5.52%), E. brasiliensis (4.97%), E. ellipsoidalis (4.41%), E. cylindrical (1.65%), E. pellita (1.65%), and E. wyomingensis (0.55%). Multiple infections with two or three species were identified in 56 (45.16%) and 2 (1.61%) cases, respectively. The infection rate was observed to be higher in calves (75%) as compared to adult cattle (59.02%). The prevalence of Eimeria was greater in female cattle (67.94%). The highest prevalence and mean number of oocysts were observed in winter (69%) and autumn (209.09), respectively. All the faecal samples had an oocysts per gram of feces (OPG) less than 1000. The prevalence of infection and mean OPG were directly correlated with rainfall and relative humidity and inversely correlated with temperature. Considering the high prevalence of bovine coccidiosis in Zabol, increasing awareness of farmers and veterinarians regarding the economic importance of bovine coccidiosis should be regarded as an important factor in preventing and controlling the infection.