The diversity of Eimeria spp. in cattle in the Brazilian Semiarid region

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to find out the diversity of Eimeria species in cattle herds in the semiarid region of Brazil. Forty cattle fecal samples were collected from 20 farms in the Paraíba State, Northeast Brazil, and examined by centrifugation-floatation technique in sucrose solution. From each positive animal, 20 oocysts were photographed and measured. Infection by Eimeria spp. was detected in 17.12% (137/800) of the samples analyzed. All the farms had at least one animal that was positive for Eimeria spp. (100%; 20/20). In total, 2740 coccidia were photographed and measured. The species detected were: Eimeria bovis (35.1%); Eimeria canadensis (17.48%); Eimeria auburnensis (14.7%); Eimeria ellipsoidalis (9.7%); Eimeria zuernii (7.22%); Eimeria brasiliensis (4.56%); Eimeria bukidnonensis (3.97%); Eimeria illinoisensis (2.91%); Eimeria wyomingensis (1.42%); Eimeria alabamensis (1.27%); Eimeria cylindrica (0.76%); Eimeria pellita (0.54%); Eimeria ildefonsoi (0.21%); and Eimeria subspherica (0.07%). It was concluded that cattle in the semiarid region of Brazil were parasitized by 14 species of Eimeria. It is thinked that the sanitary management employed, as well as the system used for raising these animals, is the crucial point that leads to high rates of infection in this region.

Figure 1. Geographical distribution of Municipalities in the Semiarid region of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil, in which farms were visited to collect bovine feces.

Figure 2. Photomicrographs of oocysts of Eimeria spp. in cattle in the Semiarid region of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. A: Eimeria bovis; B: Eimeria canadensis; C: Eimeria auburnensis; D: Eimeria ellipsoidalis; E: Eimeria zuernii; F: Eimeria brasiliensis; G: Eimeria bukidnonensis; H: Eimeria illinoisensis; I: Eimeria wyomingensis; J: Eimeria alabamensis; K: Eimeria cylindrica; L: Eimeria pellita; M: Eimeria ildefonsoi; N: Eimeria subspherica.