Epidemiology of coccidiosis in caprines of Marathwada region of Maharashtra a) Age, sex, breed and season wise prevalence

Study on epidemiology of coccidiosis in domestic goats (Capra hircus) of Marathwada region was conducted during October, 2005 to September, 2007. Examination of 1663 faecal samples of goats revealed 689 samples positive for Eimeria species with overall prevalence were recorded of 41.43 percent. In all ten species viz. Eimeria arloingi, E.ninakohlyakimovae, E. parva, E. christenseni, E. crandallis, E. pallida, E. caprina, E. granulosa, E. faurei and E. intricata with percent prevalence of 41.43, 26.63, 23.63, 20.26, 17.67, 5.41, 4.81, 8.65, 6.01 and 1.20 respectively. The most frequent and predominant species was E.arloingi and least occurring species was E. intricata. The percent prevalence recorded in the three age groups (0-3m, 36m, >6m) was 51.99, 42.86 and 31.49, respectively. Amongst the 10 species, only four i.e. Eimeria arloingi, E. parva, E. christenseni and E. crandalis were significantly higher in kids and at par with rests of the age groups, while rest of the species were at par among the three age groups. Sex wise prevalence showed significant difference and its magnitude was higher in males (47.53%) as compared to females (39.19%). Breed-wise analysis indicated that Osmanabadi goats were significantly more susceptible to coccidial infections compared to non-descript goats and prevalence was 43.26 and 35.01 percent, respectively. From monthly prevalence, it was observed that prevalence appeared in the form of two peaks (in monsoon and winter season) and two depressions in a year, though months of peak and depression varied within two years of study. Seasonal prevalence of coccidiosis was higher (48.75%) in monsoon, lower (31.75%) in winter and lowest (29.89%) in summer season.