Prevalence and Identification of Coccidian Parasite (Eimeria Spp) in Layer Chicken of Ratnanagar Municipality, Chitwan District, Nepal

Abstract

p>Five different species of Eimeria viz. E. acervulina , E. maxima, E. necatrix, E. tenella and E. brunetti were identified. The highest percentage (50%) was found with mixed infection. Specieswise infection with E. tenella was recorded in the present study. Monthwise highest prevalence rate (50%) was observed in March and the lowest (10%) in the months of April and September. Seasonwise prevalence showed the highest prevalence rate (33%) in the summer and spring, and the least (14%) in the autumn. The agewise prevalence was the highest (48%) in the 31-45 days age group and the least (6%) in 0-15 days age group of layers. The coccidiosis was found highly prevalence in mud/mud+brick type floor than in concrete type floor farms.

Key words: Coccidiosis; Eimeria; infection; layers; percentage; summer; spring

Journal of Natural History Museum Vol. 23, 2008 Page 45-50</p

Full text

J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. 23, 2008,
PREVALENCE AND IDENTIFICATION OF COCCIDIAN
PARASITE (EIMERIA SPP) IN LAYER CHICKEN OF
RATNANAGAR MUNICIPALITY, CHITWAN DISTRICT, NEPAL
A. Adhikari, R. Gupta and G. R. Pant
Abstract
Five different species of Eimeria viz. E. acervulina, E. maxima, E. necatrix, E. tenella and E.
brunetti were identified. The highest percentage (50%) was found with mixed infection.
Specieswise infection with E. tenella was recorded in the present study. Monthwise highest
prevalence rate (50%) was observed in March and the lowest (10%) in the months of April
and September. Seasonwise prevalence showed the highest prevalence rate (33%) in the
summer and spring, and the least (14%) in the autumn. The agewise prevalence was the
highest (48%) in the 31-45 days age group and the least (6%) in 0-15 days age group of
layers. The coccidiosis was found highly prevalence in mud/mud+brick type floor than in
concrete type floor farms.
Key words: Coccidiosis, Eimeria, infection, layers, percentage, summer, spring
Introduction
Coccidiosis is one of the most important diseases of chicken in Nepal. It is a protozoan
disease caused by Eimeria species. On the basis of affecting organs, the disease is
classified as intestinal coccidiosis affecting the small intestine and caecal coccidiosis affecting
the large intestine (caeca). At least nine species of Eimeria are known to occur in poultry
(Jordan and Pattison, 1996).
Coccidiosis is characterized by dysentery, enteritis, emaciation, drooping wings, poor growth
and low production. In all parts of the world where confinement rearing is practiced, coccidiosis
represents a major disease problem demanding attention of poultry producers, feed
manufactures and poultry disease experts. The economic importance of the disease is due
to its high rate of morbidity and mortality in young birds, reduced feed conversion efficiency
and egg production in sub-clinical cases.
It is considered to be a disease of poor management. Indiscriminate use of anticoccidial
drugs in feed and water has created serious drugs resistance problem. So, the study is
essential for proper identification of different species of Eimeria and knowledge regarding
the epidemiological conditions of prevalence of coccidiosis. This study will greatly help to
develop control strategy against coccidiosis.
Materials and Methods
A total of 480 dropping samples of layer chicken were collected randomly from different floor
system and farming system of poultry farms of Ratnanagar Municipality and its vicinity to
determine the prevalence of coccidiosis from August 2002 to July 2003. For species
45-50

46 J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. 23, 2008
identification twenty layer dead chickens were collected.
These dropping samples were examined by smear method and positive samples for
coccidian parasites were cultured in 2% potassium dichromate solution at the ratio of 1:5.
These sporulated oocysts were examined at low and high power objectives.
Postmortem examinations were carried out by the processes (a) necropsy examination (b)
microscopic examination of mucosal scrapping. By postmortem examination, intestinal
samples were collected and cultured. The sporulated oocysts of Eimeria species were
stained by midified Ziehil-Neelsen technique for microscopic examination. At least 27
sporulated oocysts from each area of the intestinal tract (anterior, middle, posterior parts of
small intestine and from the caecal pouches) were measured for their morphological
characteristics (length, width and shape). The information collected from postmortem finding
and findings of microscopic examination were compiled, analyzed with each other. The
findings were verified by figures and description made by Gordon and Jordan (1982).
Results
1 General prevalence of coccidiosis
Out of 480 drooping samples examined, 125 samples were positive. This implies that
prevalence of coccidiosis in layer was found to be 25%.
2 Monthwise prevalence of coccidiosis
The highest prevalence rate of coccidiosis (50%) was found in the month of March and the
least (10%) in the months of April and September. No droppings for coccidiosis were found
in the months of November and December (Fig.1).
Fig. 1 Monthwise prevalence of cocciciosis

Adhikari et al. : Prevalence and Identification of.................47
3 Seasonwise prevalence of coccidiosis
The prevalence of coccidiosis was the highest (33%) during summer and spring season
followed by winter season (23%) and the least (14%) in autumn (Fig.2).
Fig.2 Seasonwise prevalence of coccidiosis
4 Agewise prevalence of coccidiosis
The age groups of studied flocks of layer were categorized into difference of 15 days. The
Fig.3 shows that the prevalence of coccidiosis was the highest (48%) in 31-45 days and the
least (6%) in 0-15 day's layers. In 90 days above age group, the positive dropping samples
for coccidiosis were not found at all.
Fig.3 Agewise prevalence of Coccidiosis
5 Prevalence of coccidiosis in different floor types of farm
Out of 180 droppping samples of concrete type floor of layer chicken , (24%) samples were
positive and out of 260 dropping samples of mud/mud+brick type floor, (29%) were positive
for coccidiosis (Fig. 4).
Fig: 4 Prevalence of coccidiosis in different floor systems.

48 J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. 23, 2008
Identification of Eimeria spp
Table 1 shows that five different species of Eimeria were identified viz. E. acervulina,
E.maxima, E. necatrix, E.brunetti and E. tenella. The observed postmortem lesions were
distinct for all other species except E.maxima and E. necatrix. The calculated Z values (1.61
and 1.95) for mean length and width for E.necatrix and E. tenella were less than tabulated
value (1.96). So, there was no significant difference at P< 0.05 level of significance. The
shape index often quoted as criteria for species identification but less variation was found in
shape index of different species.
Table: 1 Identification of different species of Eimeria
Characteristics of oocysts
Size (μm)
Intestinal part/
location
Postmortem
lesions
Mean Length
±SD (Range)
Mean width
±SD (Range)
Shape
index
Shape
Species of
Eimeria
identified
Anterior small
intestine
Transverse
Whitish band on
duodenal loop.
17.93±2.61
(13.76-20.64)
14.12±2.61
(10.32-17.20)
1.27 Ovoid E.
acervulina
Middle small
intestine
Thickened
intestine wall.
Patechiae.
29.41±3.25
(24.08-37.84)
22.28±3.25
(17.20-27.52)
1.32 Ovoid E. maxima
Middle small
intestine
Balloning of
intestine. Mucoid
blood filled
exudates
20.10±2.6
(17.20-24.08)
16.32±2.43
(13.76-20.64)
1.23 Oblong
Ovoid
E. necatrix
Caeca Haemorrhages
and clotted blood
in caecal pouches
20.81±2.34
(17.20-24.08)
17.12±2.27
(13.76-20.64)
1.21 Ovoid E. tenella
Posterior small
intestine
Mucoid, Bloody
enteritis
23.75±2.85
(20.64-27.52)
19.52±1.98
(17.52-24.08)
1.22 Ovoid E. brunetti
Mono and mixed infection of Eimeria species
Out of 20 positive cases of coccidiosis the highest prevalence (50%) were found with mixed
species infection. In case of mono species infection the incidence of E. tenella was found the
highest (25%) followed by E. necatrix (10%), E. acervulina (5%), E. brunetti (5%) and
E. maxima (5%) (Fig.5).
Fig.5 Mono and mixed infection of Eimeria species

Adhikari et al. : Prevalence and Identification of.................49
Discussion and conclusion
Coccidiosis disease is most likely when young stocks are concentrated under conditions
which permit the accumulation and sporulation of large number of oocysts. In the present
study, the general prevalence rate of coccidiosis was found to be 25%. This was somewhat
similar to the 38% farm level prevalence reported by Razmi et al. (2000) in Iran. Monthwise
higher prevalence was found in the March and the lower (10%) in both April and September.
This high prevalence rate of coccidiosis might be due to effect of favourable environment for
the sporulation of oocysts. Seasonwise prevalence rate of coccidiosis was the highest
(33%) during summer and spring, and the lowest (14%) during autumn season. The
prevalence of coccidiosis is higher in summer and spring season may be due to the hot and
humid climate .Agewise prevalence of coccidiosis was found the highest in 31-45 days age-
group (48%) and the least (6%) in 0-15 days age group. The high prevalence of coccidiosis
might be associated with crowding factor and the presence of high number of oocysts in the
litter at 31-45 days . Hence, this age group might be very susceptible to coccidial infections.
Hofstad (1992) reported that 3-6 weeks age group of chicken were very susceptible to coccidial
infection.
Coccidiosis is the disease of poor management. The prevalence of coccidiosis was highest
(29%) in mud/mud+brick type floor than that in concrete type floor. This finding was somewhat
similar with report mentioned by Farooq et al. (1999). They reported significantly higher
mobidity (20.89 6.49%) and mortality (8.86  0.41%) in chicken reared on brick+mud made
floors at the ground level than concrete type floors above the ground level morbidity (7.37
1.47%), mortality (3.021.23%). The lower prevalence of coccidiosis in concrete type floor
might be due to effective eradication of Eimeria oocysts at the time of cleaning of floors. The
higher prevalence of coccidiosis in mud/mud+brick type floors might be associated with
more chances of coccdian oocysts to survive in the cracks and cervices of mud/mud+brick
type floors, which may difficult for effective cleanliness of farms.
On the basis of biological characteristics, such as lesion seen, location and morphological
characteristics, five species of Eimeria viz. E.tenella, E.acervulina, E.necatrix, E.maxima and
E.brunetti were identified. It is similar to the report mentioned in Brazil by Franco (1993).These
identified Eimeria species except E.necatrix have been reported earlier by Thakuri and Rai
(1996) in the local chickens of eastern hills of Nepal . It is correlated to the report mentioned
in Bangladesh by Karim and Begun (1994). The findings agree with the statement made by
Macpherson (1978) that the same species of Eimeria all over the world will infect domestic
poultry. The morphological characteristics, location and nature of intestinal lesions
correspond to the description made by Gorden and Jordan (1982).
The highest prevalence of mixed Eimeria infection (50%) was found. In case of mono species
infection the incidence of E. tenella was found the highest (25%). These results coincide with
the findings of Aryal (2001). i.e mixed coccidial infection (64%) and E.tenella (12%). The
highest prevalence of mixed species infection might be due to opportunistic nature of the
mild pathogenic species of Eimeria i.e. E.maxima and E.acervulina which starts infection in
the bird under sufficient stress due to initial infection with pathogenic species. The highest
prevalence of E.tenella might be due to its highly pathogenic and predominant nature.

50 J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. 23, 2008
Acknowledgement
This paper is based on a first author's research work, which was carried out for the partial
fulfillment of the Master's Degree at the Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University.
Authors would like to thank to the Central Department of Zoology, T.U., Central Veterinary
Laboratories, Tripureshwor, District Veterinary Service Office, Chitwan and National Avian
Diagnostic Centre, Bharatpur. Sincere thanks goes to all the vetenarians, poultry farmers of
Chitwan district and friends involved in this study.
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Author's Address
1Arjun Adhikari, 2Dr. Ranjana Gupta and 3Dr. Ganesh Raj Pant
1Food Quarantine Laboratory, Birganj, E-mail: arjunadh2000@yahoo.com
2Central Department of Zoology, T.U. Kirtipur, Kathmandu
3Central Veterinary Laboratory, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu
submitted Date: December 4, 2007
Accepted Date: May 11, 2008