Epidemiological Study on Coccidiosis of Small Ruminants in Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from May and June 2012, to determine the prevalence of Coccidia species in small ruminants and to identify risk factors for coccidiosis infection in sheep and goats in four localities of Khartoum State . Faecal samples were collected from a total of 370 small ruminants (203 goats and 167 sheep) selected proportionly . from Umbada (27) , Karari (34). Bahri (61) and East nile (248) localities . Faecal samples were analysed by modified Mc Master technique. The results revealed that 292 (78.9%) were found to be infected with Eimeria spp.The prevalence in goats (86.2%)was higher compared to sheep (70.1%) . The oocyst count per gram of feces (OPG) was conducted using the Mac Master technique which revealed a minimum and maximum OPG values of 0 and 2,000,000 respectively, with a mean of 542854.9. The prevalence of coccidian infection was significantly (P <0.05) associated with locality , type of small ruminants (sheep and goats), breed , month ,grazing system ,herd size , water system ,feeding system ,cleaning system , a warness ,treatment , floor type and education levels of man ,but not associated with sex , age , body condition and consistency of faeces (P >0.05) . Multivariate logistic regression showed that intensive grazing (OR: 14.97; CI, 6.15–36.43), June month (OR: 14.51; CI, 5.04-41.80) and education levels of breeders (OR: 3.97; CI, 1.50–10.46) were the potential risk factors significantly association with coccidiosis . Key words : coccidiosis ,Eimeria , small ruminants , prevalence