The prevalence of coccidian species in sheep in Kars Province of Turkey

Abstract

Coccidia were detected in the faeces of 556 out of 592 sheep (93.9%) in sheep in Kars province. The prevalence of coccidiosis was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in young (97.9%) and immature sheep (96.6%) than in adult sheep (90.2%). Mixed infections were widespread (71.5%). Ten species of Eimeria were recognized. These species (and their prevalences) were: Eimeria ovinoidalis (47.7%), E. bakuensis (E. ovina) (46.6%), E. parva (37.1%), E. granulosa (27.7%), E. ahsata (23.4%), E. pallida (23.2%), E. faurei (15.1%), E. intricata (13.9%), E. crandallis (13.7%) and E. punctata (2.3%). Eimeria punctata is reported in sheep from Turkey for the first time. The mean oocyst count from infected animals was 3451 +/- 409 opg (range 50-117,600). The mean was higher (9529 +/- 502) in young sheep. Differences in the counts from young, immature and adult sheep were statistically significant (p < 0.01). However, no clinical cases of coccidiosis were encountered.