Eimeria infection (Coccidia: Eimeriidae) in sheep of different age groups in Sanandaj city, Iran

Abstract

The prevalence of ovine eimeria parasitism was monitored in 240 sheep in the western part of Iran, in the period from 2003-2004. The overall prevalence of coccidiosis in sheep was found to be 19.2%. The identified species included three pathogenic species, i.e. e. ahsata (10%), e. ovinoidalis (31%) and e. ovina (10%) and three non-pathogenic species, i.e. e. faurei (29%), e. parva (10%) and e. intricata (10%). Of 240 sheep, single infection was not observed and all 19.2% of infected sheep had mixed infections with at least three species. Consistency and intensity had a significant correlation with age. The sex and age of the sheep had a significant effect on prevalence, as well. The results of this study showed that eimeria infection was prevalent in sheep in the western part of Iran.