Prevalence of coccidia infection in goats in Western Pomerania (Poland) and West Ukraine region

Abstract

The prevalence of coccidia infection in goats was evaluated in Western Pomerania (Poland) and West Ukraine Province. A total number of 311 goats were examined: 173 from Western Pomerania, including 139 kids (up to 6 month old), and 138 from the Lviv region including 93 juveniles. The study was based on two flotation methods, which helped to establish the number of oocysts in 1g of feces (OPG): Willis-Schlaaf for qualitative and McMaster for quantitative analysis. The species composition was established using Coudert's (Coudert 1992) and Eckert's (Eckert et al.,1995) keys. Nine Eimeria spp. were identified in feces samples in Western Pomerania and Lviv regions: E. arloingi, E. chrisienseni, E. jolchijevi, E. ninakohlyakimovae, E. alijevi, E. capina, E. caprovina, E. hirci, E. apsheronica. The prevalence of infection in Western Pomerania of adult goats was 74% with an intensity of 0-2500 OPG. The rate of infection in kids was 100% and the intensity ranged from 1800 to 28000 OPG. In West Ukraine Province, 100% of the adult goats and kids were infected. The coccidian intensity of infection ranged from 2600 to 120000 OPG in kids, from 50 to 4500 OPG in adults. Clinical conditions can influence the intensity of oocysts excretion in the feces of animals. In Western Pomerania the highest intensity of excretion of oocysts was during May-July and the lowest during November-January. In West Ukraine Province the peak of oocysts excretion was in May-July and the lowest in October-December. The results of the present investigation have implications for the control of coccidial infections in goats in Europe.