[Occurrence of coccidia from genus Eimeria in European bison in Białowieza Forest, Poland]

Abstract

Protozoa from the genus Eimeria belong to the least recognized parasites of the European bison. There are only a few data concerning the infection of the bison by these protozoa in Białowieza Forest. In the winter of 2007/2008 weighting 3 g fecal samples from the rectum of 16 shot bison were examined by flotation method. In 13 of them were found coccidian oocysts from genus Eimeria, which were determined to the species by morphometric study under the microscope. In all 13 positive samples, it is 81.2%, oocysts of Eimeria bovis were found. Intensiveness of this infection oscillated from 1 to 181 and the mean one was 38 oocysts. E. zuernii was found in 9 samples in the mean intensity 19 (1-154) oocysts. E. ellipsoidalis occurred in 3 bison with a very low intensity 1 to 3 oocysts. The most rarely occurred E. canadiensis, only in 2 examined bison in the number of 2 and 3 oocysts. All found coccidian species are the typical parasites of cattle. Białowieza Forest is a new place of occurrence of these parasites. European bison is a new host for E. zuernii.