SOME EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON PREVALENCE OF DIFFERENT EIMERIA SPECIES AFFECTING BROILERS IN EGYPT

SOME EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON PREVALENCE OF DIFFERENT EIMERIA SPECIES AFFECTING BROILERS IN EGYPT

Document Type : Original Research Articles

Abstract

Coccidiosis is one of the most commonly prevalent and economically important parasitic diseases of poultry worldwide. In the present study twenty-eight broiler chicken farms from 16 to 70 days of age were examined clinically for suspected outbreaks of coccidiosis in seven governorates in Egypt. Flock history, clinical signs, dropping score and lesion score were
recorded at time of examination. Fecal as well as intestinal samples (from different intestinal portions) were examined for most prevalent Eimeria spp. in broilers using direct wet smear. The obtained results revealed that, the highest mortality rate (2.49%) was recorded in Cobb breed in Dakahlia governorate while the lowest mortality (0.5%) was recorded in Avian 48
breed in Dakahlia and Damitta governorates. Higher prevalence rate (89.28%) was observed in young birds (16-42days) than growing birds (10.72%) on the (50-70 days of age). Cobb is more susceptible to infection (42.85%) than other breeds (Hubbard, Avian 48, Ross and Arbor acres). Higher prevalence of mixed infection with different Eimeria species (suspected
to be E. acervuline, E. maxima, E. necatrix and E. tenella) was recorded in 26 out of 28 farms (92.8%) while single infection with E. tenella was recorded in 2 out of 28 farms (7.2%). Mean lesion score revealed that higher score in different types of chickens attributed to cecal portion 0.6-3.3 and lower score was observed in other portions 0-0.9 in jejunal portion and 0-
0.6 in illiual portion.

Keywords