The prevalence and intensity of Eimeria spp. infection in sheep of Malayer suburb, Iran

The prevalence of Eimeria spp. infection and the intensity of fecal oocysts were determined in 250 sheep in Malayer suburb of Iran using flotation and sporulation techniques. The overall prevalence was 23.23% in which the young male sheep had the highest prevalence (37.61%) with the highest intensity (63.58%). There were no significant difference in the prevalence between male (27.9%) and female (22.93%) in all age groups (P 0.05). The young sheep had significantly higher oocysts counts than the other groups (P 0.05). Diarrhea had positive correlation with infection in all age groups. Also positive correlation was found between diarrhea, infection and intensity in young sheep (P 0.05). The highest percentage belonged to the E. intricata (39%), followed by E. faurei (16%), E. ovina (16%), E. parva (12%), E. pallida (7%), E. ahsata (6%) and E. ovinoidalis (4%). No correlations were found between temperature and rainfall with intensity in all age groups (P 0.05). The results of this investigation indicate that Eimeria infection is a problem in sheep in Malayer suburb and further studies will reveal more information about economic effects of this parasite which it will be useful for establishing control programs.