Studies on Bovine Coccidia [Apicomplexia: Emeriidae] in Parts of Plateau State, Nigeria

A parasitological examination of 2,500 faecal samples of cattle was carried out in Plateau State, Nigeria, to determine prevalence, seasonal distribution and sources of various species of Eimeria in both sexes, age groups, breeds and husbandry systems. Effects of temperatures on sporulation of Eimeria oocysts and chemical analysis of the Eimeria oocysts were also determined. Out of 2500 samples examined, 1567 i.e 62.68% were positive for twelve species of Eimeria. E. alabamensis occurred in 220 [8.80%], E. auburnensis 806 [32.24%], E. bovis 914 [36.56%], E.brassiliensis 240 [9.60%], E. bukidnonensis 580 [23.20%], E. canadensis 236 [9.44%] E. cylindrica 556 [22.24%], E. ellipsoidalis 722 [28.88%], E. pellita 279 [11.16%]. E subsphserical 295 [11.80%], E. wyomingensis 445 [17.80%] and E. zurnii 1043 [41.72%]. E.zurnii 54.88% was predominant in the Jos Abattoir. E. cylindrica 81.02% in Naraguta, E. auburnensis 76.08% in Nassarawa Gwom, E. zurnii, 97.52% in Rukuba, E. bovis 29.36% in Vom and E. ellipsoidalis 94.62% in Zallaki. Mixed infections of 2-12 species were found in 1457 [58.28%] faecal samples with 178 [7.12%] positive for two parasites; 324 [12.96%], for three parasites; 401[16.04%], for four parasites; 280 [11.20%], for five parasites; 160 [6.40], for six parasites; 72 [2.88%], for seven parasites; 11 [0.44%], for eight parasites; 10 [0.40%], for nine parasites; 8 [0.32%], were positive for ten parasites; 8 [0.32%], for eleven parasites; 5 [0.20%], or twelve parasites. Only 110 [4.40%] harboured single infections The most infected age group was 10-14 months old with infection rate of 79.30%. Other age groups were 0-4 months 43.75%; xv 5-9 months 65.90%; 15-19 months 72.33%; 20-24 months 61.11%; and 25 months and above 43.20%. There was statistically significant difference in the rate of infection between age groups 10-14 months and 25 months and above, between 10-14 months and 0-4 months [P<0.1] The calves first shed Eimeria oocysts between 14 and 84 days of their lives. The parasites were more prevalent in bulls than in cows, but there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of infection between bulls and cows. [P>0.05]. N'dama breed carried the lowest infection [44.36%] while the Muturu carried the highest infection rate of 83.76%. There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of infection between N'dama and Muturu breeds [P<0.05]. Cattle grazed on pastures were more infected than those raised either on mud floor pens or on concrete floor pens. The prevalence rates were 70.70%, 62.48% and 56.73% respectively. The cow beef cattle had the highest rate of infection of 69.15% while the dairy cattle had 55.06% infection rate. There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of infection between the beef cattle and dairy cattle [P<0.05]. The major source of infection was the pastures, having contamination rate of 40.77%. Others were beddings 32.38%; feeds 28.05% and udders 29.17%. There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of contamination between pastures and feeds [P<0.01] and between pastures and udders [P<0.01]. Infection was higher during the dry season 68.35%, than during the wet season, 59.31%. There was no statistically significant difference in the infection rate between dry and wet season [P>0.05]. Low temperature inhibited sporulation of Eimeria oocysts while high temperatures increased sporulation. The morphological features of Eimeria oocyst types encountered varied in sizes, shapes and inclusions. Twelve Amino acids were found in the sporulated bovine Eimeria oocysts in this study, 9 essentials and 4 non-essentials amino acids.