Viability of coccidian oocysts of buffaloes under different physical and chemical conditions

The effect of physical (boiling water) and chemical (phenol and formalin) agents on the viability of coccidian oocysts (Eimeria bovis, E. zuernii, E. subspherica, E. alabamensis, E. canadensis, E. ellipsoidalis, E. bareillyi, E. wyomingensis and E. cylindrica) of buffaloes was observed at different periods of time (15 min, 30 min, one, two, four and six hours). Among them, boiling water was found 100% lethal on coccidian oocysts. Phenol in concentration of 1% and 2% with exposure of 15 min or more and at 0.5% concentration, with exposure time of one or more hour, killed all the oocysts, while partial lethal effect was seen in 0.1% concentration. Formalin had no lethal effect on oocysts even in 5% concentration.