Prevalence, Diversity and Risk Assessment Camelid Eimeriosis in Hyper-Arid Partially Irrigated Zone of Rajasthan

A total of 509 faecal samples of all ages and sex from camel population were randomly collected to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with coccidian parasites from hyper arid partially irrigated zone of Rajasthan which comprises of three districts viz. Bikaner, Churu and Jaisalmer during the period from March to December, 2016. An overall prevalence of 13.55% was recorded for coccidiosis in camels with a highly significant difference (p<0.01) among the seasons (summer; 8% and rainy; 8.66 and winter; 21.05%). Quantitative analysis revealed mild to high severity of infections ranging from 100–3700 with an average of 623.33±126.24 oocysts per gram of faeces in the camel population. Two morphotypes of Eimeria sp. were identified are E. cameli and E. dromedrii and E. cameli was the major contributor in coccidia population (71.33%). A comparatively higher prevalence was recorded for Eimeria sp. in female than male camel population.