Determinants
Influencing Prevalence of Coccidiosis in Buffaloes, Pakistan
Muhammad Nisar Khan,
Tauseef-ur-Rehman*, Muhammad Sohail Sajid, Rao Zahid Abbas, Muhammad
Arfan Zaman1, Arbab Sikandar1 and Muhammad
Riaz2
Department of
Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan;
1Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary and
Animal Sciences, Jhang, Pakistan; 2Department of
Livestock Management, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040,
Pakistan
*Corresponding author: drtauseef441@gmail.com
Abstract
This paper describes a
cross-sectional study in buffaloes of district Toba Tek Singh from April, 2009
to March, 2010 which aimed to identify prevalent species of Eimeria (E)
and risk factors associated with subclinical coccidiosis. Overall prevalence of
Eimeria in buffaloes was 49.6%. Six
species of Eimeria were identified in total infected buffaloes.
E. bovis was the commonest one among
the species identified during survey followed in order by E. zuernii, E.
canadensis, E. ellipsoidalis, E. alabamensis and
E. cylindrica. Peak prevalence was observed in August. Wet season
was found favorable for Eimeria. Odds of finding oocysts were higher in
young stock and females (P<0.05) as compared to those of adults and males
respectively. Among management and husbandry practices, five variables were
found significantly associated with status. These included housing system,
feeding system, watering system, floor type and herd size. Open housing system,
trough feeding, tap watering, partially cemented floor type and smaller herds
showed protective effect against coccidiosis with Odds of detection being higher
in closed housing system, ground feeding, pond watering, non-cemented floor type
and larger herd size, respectively. Body condition and breed of buffaloes were
not found associated with prevalence of Eimeria. Value of feeding in troughs, provision of clean
tap water, cementing floor of farms in reducing the extent of infection should
be communicated to farmers. Appropriate monitoring and control of the disease is advisable.