BACKGROUND: Eimeria infection is an important part of protozoal infection in ruminants which causes economic lost in animal husbandry of Iran and worldwide. Therefore it is important to implement effective control programs on the prevalence and diversity of Eimeria species in livestocks. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to determine prevalence and Eimeria species diversity in dairy cattle with different age groups under industrial management. METHODS: The present study was carried out in industrial cattle husbandry of Kangavar suburban of Kermanshah province, Iran, from spring 2011 to 2012. A total of 307 fresh fecal samples were randomly collected from the rectum of examined animals. The fecal specimens were subjected for flotation technique and collect Eimeria oocysts. The intensity of infection was determined using McMater method. Eimeria species diversity and frequency was also determined by using oocyst sporulation technique in 2.5% potassium dichromate. RESULTS: The overall prevalence was 31.92% (98 out of 307). The highest prevalence was found in dairy cattle (37%) with 1-3 years old. There was no significant difference between prevalence and different age groups. The highest frequency was significantly in spring (41.66%). The intensity was variable in examined animals which ranged from 3.18×103 to 2.71×105. There was no significant difference between the prevalence and intensity in all age groups. Fecal consistency findings revealed that the highest infection was significantly in dairy cattle with normal fecal consistency in all age groups. According to Laboratory identification, a number of seven Eimeria species were detected in all infected animals. The most common specie was E. zuernii (28.25%) in 5% dairy cattle (1-3 years-old) in spring (30%) and summer (30%). There was significant association between frequency of Eimeria infection and each season during the course of the study. All infected cattle had mixed infections with two (42.85%) and three (3.15%) species of Eimeria. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that cattle Eimeria infection was a problem in dairy cattle of industrial farms in the region. Attention should be paid within seasonal infection in young cattle to avoid probable clinical coccidiosis, particularly in farms with poor hygienic conditions and no prophylactic treatments.

Sixteen 7-week-old Holstein male calves were inoculated with sporulated oocysts of Eimeria zuernii. Four calves (controls) were euthanatized and necropsied at 14 and 20 days after inoculation (DAI). Two calves were treated with 20 mg of dexamethasone (IM) on 13, 14, and 15 DAI and euthanatized and necropsied 17 DAI and 2 calves were given similar treatments and necropsied 20 DAI. The 8 other calves were euthanatized and necropsied 20 DAI. Two were started on the anticoccidial drug decoquinate in feed 13 DAI; 2 others were given decoquinated on the same schedule plus dexamethasone on 13, 14, and 15 DAI. Two calves were given the antibiotic narasin in feed beginning 13 DAI and 2 calves were given parasin on the same schedule plus dexamethasone on 13, 14, and 15 DAI. All calves, except 2 controls necropsied 14 DAI and 4 calves given decoquinate, discharged moderate-to-large numbers of oocysts in feces and had moderate-to-severe changes in fecal consistency. Histologic examintions revealed large numbers of endogenous stages in tissues of calves treated or not treated with dexamethasone. Few endogenous stages were observed in tissues from calves that were given decoquinate or decoquinate plus dexamethasone. Calves given narasin or narasin plus dexamethasone had moderate-to-large numbers of endogenous stages in the tissues.

In an attempt to evaluate the possible role of Eimeria stiedae infection on rabbit vaccinatedwith haemorrhagic septicaemia oil adjuvant vaccine, a total of 60 New-Zealand rabbits weredivided into 6 groups (A- F). The first four groups subdivided into two subgroups. The subgroups(A1, A2) vaccinated and infected at time of 1st dose of vaccine, subgroup (B1, B2) vaccinated andinfected at 2 weeks post 1st vaccination, subgroup (C1, C2) which vaccinated and infected at thetime of 2nd dose of vaccination, finally subgroup (D1, D2) vaccinated and infected at 2 weeks post2nd dose of vaccine. Group E vaccinated only but the group F left as non vaccinated non infected(control). The results revealed that E. stiedae infection at the time or after 2 weeks from first orsecond dose of vaccination (A1, B1, C1 and D1) and treated with semduramycine 150 showed slightdecrease of the antibody titer in contrast the untreated group (A2, B2, C2 and D2) showed suddendecrease of P. multocida antibody titer measured by indirect haemagglutination and ELISA test.Vaccinated group (E) was the superior one showing the highest antibody titer. The challenge test ofall rabbit groups with virulent P. multocida revealed a protective percent of 83.4%, 50%, 100%and 0 % in treated, untreated, vaccinated and control group respectively, but subgroups C2, D2the protective value was 33.4% this due to challenge concurrency post or at the time of infection.These findings reflect the important to avoid coccidial infection following vaccination programs toobtain better immune response to haemorrhagic septicaemia oil adjuvant pasteurellosis vaccineand high level of protection.

Avian coccidiosis is an important parasitic disease affecting poultry and causes high economic losses in poultry industry, which acts as an important sector in the Egyptian national income. It is caused by genus Eimeria that belongs to subphylum apicomplexa. It affects domestic pigeons causing great losses, particularly in squabs. So, this study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Eimeria species infecting domestic pigeons (Columbia livia) in Minia province. Intestines of 400 domestic pigeons collected from various poultry butcher shops as well as 103 pooled fecal samples of household pigeons were microscopically examined by the flotation technique. The recovered oocysts were morphologically identified. The overall prevalence of Eimeria species infection was 27.0% (108/400) and 72.82% (75/103) in the intestinal and pooled fecal samples respectively. Seasonally, the highest infection rate in the pooled fecal samples was in both spring and autumn (80.0%), while the lowest was in summer (56.0%). Meanwhile, the infection rate of the intestinal samples was the highest in winter (33.33%) and the lowest in autumn (20.0%). Moreover, The monthly infection rate of intestinal samples revealed that September and April had the highest rates;(55.0% and 41.62%). However, no infection rates were found in October and November, while monthly infection rate of fecal samples recorded that January and February showed 100% infection rate. Meanwhile, March and August, showed the lowest rate of infection 28.57% and 42.86% respectively. The morphological identification revealed the presence of four Eimeria species, Eimeria labbeana, E. columbarum E.columbae and E.labbeana-like, in pigeons in Minia province. Further studies are recommended to investigate the life cycle and molecular differentiation of Eimeria species infecting domestic birds.

Common parasites of the European bison include gastro-intestinal and pulmonary nematodes, liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica), tapeworms, and protozoa of the genus Coccidia. This study compared the extensiveness and intensities of European bison parasitic invasions in three north-eastern Polish forests in different seasons and queried the role of parasitological monitoring in sanitary and hygienic control of feeding places. Faecal samples were collected in the Białowieża, Knyszyńska, and Borecka Forests between 2014 and 2016, as were some from an area neighbouring the Białowieża Forest outside the Natura 2000 protected area. Parasites were detected in individual samples with the flotation, decanting and Baermann methods. The eggs of Trichostrongylidae, Aonchotheca sp., Nematodirus sp., Strongyloides spp., Trichuris sp., Moniezia spp., and Fasciola hepatica; the larvae of Dictyocaulus viviparus; and the oocytes of Eimeria spp. were identified. Significant variation in invasion intensity and diversity was seen by origin and season. The relationships were assessed first by univariable tests and next multivariately, when origin and season emerged as the major risk factors for exposure to most of the parasites. The differences in the level of parasitic infection between the forests did not have implications for its sufficiency to cause clinical symptoms. However, the associations and risk factors found enable the necessary preventive measures to be taken to protect the E. bison from exposure or decrease the risks. Additionally, parasitological monitoring is appropriate as the method of sanitary and hygienic control of European bison winter feeding places. Threats to public health through adventitious invasions by zoonotic factors such as F. hepatica have been identified.

Introduction: Dogs harbour zoonotic parasites that cause serious infections in humans, such as visceral larva migrans, ocular larva migrans, cystic echinococcosis, and alveolar echinococcosis. Studies on dogs’ gastrointestinal parasites in different geographical locations are required to increase knowledge of the risk of canine zoonoses in human populations.Material and Methods: The presence of parasites was examined in 450 faecal samples collected from eight zones of Zanjan province, northwest Iran from June to November 2015. The samples were examined using the sedimentation concentration method and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining.Results: Gastrointestinal parasites were found in 86 (19.1%) faecal samples. Sarcocystis spp. (7.3%), Taenia/Echinococcus spp. (5.6%), Toxocara spp. (1.8%), and Cystoisospora spp. (1.6%) were the most common parasites observed. The other detected parasites consisted of Dicrocoelium dendriticum (0.7%), Eimeria spp. (0.7%), Cryptosporidium spp. (0.4%), Physaloptera spp. (0.4%), Giardia spp. (1.3%), and Spirocerca lupi (1.3%). The lowest parasite infection rates belonged to Trichuris vulpis and Acanthocephalans (0.2% each).Conclusion: This study provides current information on the infection rates in dog populations in Zanjan Province. Furthermore, the study shows a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections, including zoonotic ones and particularly Taenia/Echinococcus spp., potentially transmissible to humans and thus relevant to public health.

Objective: This study envisages dynamics and factors affecting fecal oocyst counts (FOC) in natural infection in goats in semi-arid India.Materials and methods: A total of 1152 fecal samples from Jamunapari goats in semi-arid India were collected, processed and examined for fecal oocysts over a period of 3 years for prevalence and severity of the disease through FOC using modified Mc Master Technique. The log transformed FOC data on 912 animals from 59 sires were used for subsequent analyses for genetic and non-genetic factors affecting FOC. Fixed effects included were years of collection (1-3), seasons of collection (summer, rainy, winter), sex (male, female), age group (0-3, >3-6, >6-12, adults). Least squares analysis of variance for fitting constant was applied to data set.Results: The overall prevalence of coccidian infection in goats was 86.71%(n=999/1162). Highest incident was found in winter season (91.74%) and >6-12 M age (97.95%). Eimeria arloingi and E. ninakohlyakimovae were the most frequently occurring species. The heritability of FOC was found to be 0.06±0.06. The effect of sire on FOC was not significant; however, effects of animal age, year, season of collection and sex on FOC were found to be significant.Conclusion: Coccidiosis in goats is seasonally occurring disease, most commonly affecting animals of less than one year age. FOC in coccidiosis affected animals is lowly inherited trait for selection of goat against this disease. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(1.000): 52-57]

Chicken coccidiosis is an inflammatory disease caused by the apicomplexan protozoal parasite Eimeria. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines activate hepatocyte receptors in the liver, altering the production and release of numerous proteins known as acute phase proteins (APPs), which eradicate pathogenic germs, repair tissue damage, and promote health. These proteins have a significant impact on defense systems. The current investigation evaluated the levels of several acute phase proteins (haptoglobin (PIT54), ceruloplasmin, and fibrinogen) in the blood, their gene expression in the liver as well as the immunohistochemistry changes in the caecum and bursa of Fabricius of chickens infected with E. tenella before and after treatment with two different anticoccidial drugs (diclazuril and toltrazuril). The obtained results revealed that E. tenella infection in chickens produced considerable activation of numerous APPs, including haptoglobin, fibrinogen, and ceruloplasmin. Furthermore, the challenged birds’ caecum showed a high sensitivity to CD4, CD8, and SIgA. Anticoccidial medicines such as diclazuril or toltrazuril could considerably lower such APPs indicators and immunohistochemical alterations. In conclusion, haptoglobin, fibrinogen, and ceruloplasmin are considered as biomarkers for the APPs measurement in birds challenged with Eimeria. Moreover, diclazuril and toltrazuril are regarded as ideal anticoccidial medications to be used during chicken farming.