Occurrence and diversity of coccidia in indigenous, Saanen and crossbred goats in South Africa

• Published in: Veterinary parasitology Vol. 82; no. 1; pp. 1 - 9
• Main Authors: Harper, C.K., Penzhorn, B.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 22-03-1999
• Subjects: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Coccidiosis - epidemiology; Coccidiosis - veterinary; Eimeria - classification; Eimeria - isolation & purification; Eimeria spp; Feces - parasitology; Female; Goat; Goat Diseases - epidemiology; Goat Diseases - parasitology; Goats; Parasite Egg Count - veterinary; Prevalence; Seasons; South Africa; South Africa - epidemiology; South Africa; South Africa; Eimeria spp; Goat
• ISSN: 0304-4017; 1873-2550
• DOI: 10.1016/S0304-4017(98)00266-0

Occurrence and diversity of
Eimeria species in two groups of indigenous South African goats kept under traditional management systems, as well as in a mixed herd of Saanen, indigenous and crossbred goats kept under an intensive management system were examined. Infection rates ranged from 88.7 to 100% in the various groups. Mean OPG of immature goats (<
1 year old) exceeded that of adult goats at all three sites. There was no consistent difference between adult OPG counts at the three sites. Under the intensive system, adult crossbred goats had significantly higher OPG counts than adult Saanen or indigenous goats. Overall, OPG counts of immature goats were significantly higher during the dry season (winter) than during the wet season (summer). Ten
Eimeria species were identified,
Eimeria arloingi being the most prevalent species at all three sites, followed by
Eimeria hirci. Up to seven
Eimeria species were recovered from individual specimens.