Clinical and Molecular Detection of Different Eimeria Species in Goats at Babylon Governorate
Clinical and Molecular Detection of Different Eimeria Species in Goats at Babylon Governorate
Ali Hamid M. H. Rabeea1*, Ali Dhiaa Marza1, Mohammad H. Al-Hasnawy2, Baraa G Abdul-Ameer1, Mariam K Chassab1
ABSTRACT
Coccidiosis, a disease affecting cattle and especially goats, is caused by Eimeria, a genus of apicomplexan parasites. The current study aimed to identify the incidence and infection rate of Eimeria species in goats, in the Babylon Governorate of Iraq. Microscopic and molecular techniques were used to examine 88 fecal samples collected from goats between January and October 2020 from various areas in Babylon Governorate. Clinical observations revealed that diarrhea, fever, weight loss, and weakness were the main symptoms associated with the infection. The results showed infection rates of Eimeria species in goats to be 42.04% and 43.24% using microscopic and molecular methods, respectively. The infection rate in females was 41.17%, while in males it was 43.24%. Furthermore, the results indicated that goats older than two years had the highest infection rates compared to other age groups, with no significant differences observed between age groups. This study highlights the occurrence of Eimeria species infection in goats in Babylon Governorate, Iraq. Further molecular studies, such as DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, may be necessary to identify and understand the distribution and genotypes of this protozoan species in the region.
Keywords | Coccidian, Eimeria, Goats, Microscopic, PCR
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