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. 2013 Mar 31;39(1):85–89. doi: 10.1007/s12639-013-0286-5

Prevalence of poultry coccidiosis in Jammu region of Jammu & Kashmir State

Sourabh Sharma 1,✉, Asif Iqbal 2, Shagufta Azmi 1, Iram Mushtaq 2, Zahoor Ahmad Wani 3, Showkat Ahmad 1
PMCID: PMC4328011  PMID: 25698867

Abstract

In this study prevalence of chicken coccidiosis in Jammu division were undertaken in both organized and backyard chickens during the year 2010–2011, with an overall prevalence of 39.58 % on examination of 720 faecal samples. Five Eimeria species were identified viz., E. tenella, E. necatrix, E. maxima, E. acervulina and E. mitis. E. tenella was the predominant species in both organized and unorganized farms. The highest prevalence percentage was found in July, 2011 (68.9 %) and the lowest percentage was found in May, 2011 (12.5 %). Coccidial prevalence was found to be 53.61 % in unorganized (backyard poultry birds) as compared to organized birds (25.55 %). Maximum positive cases of coccidian infection was found in monsoon season (60.55 %) and least in summer season (21.66 %). Birds of age 31–45 days showed more prevalence percentage (58.86 %). Higher oocysts count was recorded from July to September with a peak value (38973.00 ± 3075.6) in July and lowest (12914.00 ± 595.48) in the month of May.

Keywords: Poultry, Coccidiosis, Prevalence

Introduction

Coccidiosis is recognized as the parasitic disease with the greatest economic impact on poultry industries worldwide (Allen and Fetterer 2002) due to production losses and costs for treatment or prevention (Shirley et al. 2005). It is caused by single-celled protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria, which are commonly referred to as coccidian (McDougald and Reid 1997). The disease is manifested clinically by intestinal haemorrhage, malabsorption, diarrhoea, reduction of body weight gain due to inefficient feed utilization, impaired growth rate in broilers and reduced egg production in layers (Lillehoj and Lillehoj 2000, Lillehoj et al. 2004). Seven species of Eimeria with different degrees of pathogenicity are recognized viz. E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. maxima, E. mitis, E. necatrix, E. praecox and E. tenella. Eimeria tenella is one of the most ubiquitous (Quarzane et al. 1998) and most pathogenic (Arakawa and Xie 1993; Yadav and Gupta 2001, Ayaz et al. 2003) resulting in 100 % morbidity and a high mortality due to extensive damage of the digestive tract (Cook 1988). The lesions caused by this parasite disturb nutrient absorption, triggering several changes in carbohydrates, lipid, protein and macro and trace mineral metabolism (Witlock et al. 1977). The incidence of coccidiosis in commercial poultry can range from 5 to 70 % (Du and Hu 2004). The Jammu and Kashmir state is no more exception to this as the poultry population has increased from 2.039 million in 2003 to 3.48 million in 2007 (Livestock Census 2007). Growth of poultry industry in India is hampered by various factors and prevalence of various diseases in poultry is of main concern. Among the various parasitic diseases, coccidiosis is one of important concern in poultry sector caused by multiple species of parasite of the genus Eimeria which resides and multiplies in intestinal mucosa (Hadipour et al. 2011). Though, coccidiosis is widely prevalent in Jammu and Kashmir, but very little published information is available. Therefore, present study was conducted to know the prevalence of coccidiosis in Poultry maintained under different managemental conditions in Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir State, India.

Materials and methods

Poultry birds maintained under two managemental conditions viz. organized and unorganized (backyard poultry birds) were used in this study. A total of 720 faecal samples were collected from organised farms and backyard poultry (unorganised) of Jammu. The faecal samples were collected directly from floors of backyard poultry and commercial farms and stored in plastic containers. The particulars like age, farm management practices were recorded. The samples were kept at 4 °C till examination. The oocysts were concentrated for examination by centrifugation with saturated sugar solution and were identified on the basis of morphological characters. The oocysts recovered were kept in two lots of 2.5 % potassium dichromate solution (K2Cr2O7). The material of one lot was poured in petri dishes to a depth of 3–4 mm and kept in biological oxygen demand (BOD) incubator at a temperature of 30 ± 2 °C for sporulation. The other lot of culture was kept at 4 °C. The culture of both the lots was examined and morphological characters were studied before and after sporulation (Lima 1979; Levine 1985; Pellérdy 1974; Soulsby 1982).

Results

Out of 720 samples examined, 285 were found positive for Eimeria species with an overall prevalence of 39.58 %. Five species of Eimeria viz., E. tenella, E. necatrix, E. maxima, E. acervulina, and E. mitisi were recorded with incidence of 21.40, 11.92, 5.61, 4.21 and 2.10 %, respectively. Eimeria tenella was predominant species infecting chickens in both organized farms as well as backyard chickens of Jammu region. The morphological characteristics of the sporulated oocysts are shown in Plate 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Plate 1.

Plate 1

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Eimeria tenella

Plate 2.

Plate 2

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Eimeria necatrix

Plate 3.

Plate 3

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Eimeria maxima

Plate 4.

Plate 4

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Eimeria acervulina

Plate 5.

Plate 5

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Eimeria mitis

Age of chickens is considered as major factor in the prevalence of Eimeria infection. In the present study, prevalence of coccidiosis was recorded higher in chickens of age group 31–45 days (58.86 %) followed by 16–30 days (49.27 %), 46–60 days (39.87 %), 61–75 days (25.67 %) and lower in 0–15 days (19.49 %) (Table 1; Fig. 1). Prevalence of coccidiosis in chickens was highest (60.55 %) in monsoon (July–September) and lowest (21.66 %) in summer (March–June) (Table 2; Fig. 2). Higher oocysts count was recorded from July to September with a peak value (38973.00 ± 3075.6) in July and lowest (12914.00 ± 595.48) in the month of May (Table 3; Fig. 3).

Table 1.

Age-wise prevalence of chicken coccidiosis in Jammu region

S. no. Age group (days) No. of samples examined (720) No. of positive samples (285) Percentage of infection
1. 0–15 118 23 19.49
2. 16–30 138 68 49.27
3. 31–45 158 93 58.86
4. 46–60 158 63 39.87
5. 61–75 148 38 25.67
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Figures in parenthesis are %

Bold signifies as higher prevalence (58.86 %) of coccidiosis in the age group of 31–45 days and lowest (19.49 %) in the age group of 0–15 days

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

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Age-wise occurrence of Eimeria species in chickens in Jammu region

Table 2.

Season-wise prevalence of chicken coccidiosis in Jammu region

Season No. of samples examined No. of samples Positive Prevalence (%)
Winter (Dec–Feb) 180 55 30.55
Summer (Mar–June) 180 39 21.66
Monsoon (July–Sep) 180 109 60.55
Post monsoon (Oct–Nov) 180 82 45.55
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Figures in parenthesis are %

Bold signifies as higher prevalence (60.55 %) of coccidiosis in Monsoon and lowest (21.66 %) in Summer season

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

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Season-wise prevalence of chicken coccidiosis in Jammu region

Table 3.

Month-wise variation in the (mean ± SE) OPG values of chicken coccidiosis

Months (2010–2011) Mean values ± SE
December 25651.90 ± 1478.2e
January 16950.47 ± 414.83c
February 15477.12 ± 661.29c
March 13793.66 ± 395.61ab
April 14510.10 ± 736.00b
May 12914.00 ± 595.48 a
June 19077.86 ± 749.88d
July 38973.00 ± 3075.6 g
August 38740.18 ± 2675.7g
September 38037.18 ± 1489.7g
October 31958.20 ± 789.54f
November 27650.02 ± 1457.6e
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Mean (±SE) bearing different superscripts differ significantly (P < 0.05)

Bold signifies higher oocysts count with a peak value was recorded in the month of July (38973.00 ± 3075.6) and lowest in the month of May (12914.00 ± 595.48)

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

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Month-wise variation (mean ± SE) in the OPG values in chicken coccidiosis

Discussion and conclusion

In the present study, the overall prevalence of coccidiosis in Jammu region was found to be 39.58 %. The present observation is comparable with that of 33.33 % coccidian infection found in studies conducted by Sood et al. (2009) from Jammu, 46.04 % Jadhav et al. (2011) in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra and 31.25 % coccidian infection found by Bandyopadhyay et al. (2006) in West Bengal.

Eimeria tenella was predominant species infecting chickens in both organized farms as well as backyard chickens of Jammu region. The present findings are in agreement with the findings of Bhaskaran et al. (2009). However involvement of E. tenella in many outbreaks has also been documented from other parts of India (Jithendran 2001; Aarthi et al. 2010; Jadhav et al. 2011).

Higher prevalence of coccidiosis in the age group of 31–45 days might be associated with the presence of high number of oocysts in the litter. A possible reason for this may be that during the period between 31 and 45 days of age the birds have not attained immunity against coccidiosis, resulting in the increased incidence of the disease, while as the birds of age group 0–15 days were protected by the maternal immunity. Similar findings of high prevalence of coccidiosis in chickens of age group ranging from 31 to 45 days has been reported by several workers (Lobago et al. 2003; Kumar et al. 2008; Adhikari et al. 2008; Nematollahi et al. 2009).

Prevalence of coccidiosis in chickens was highest in monsoon and lowest in summer. The present finding is in commensuration of Jithendran 2001; Hirani et al. 2011. Higher prevalence in monsoon period could be attributed to increase in rainfall with subsequent high humidity and drop in temperature which is conducive for sporulation of oocysts for easy dispersion and transmission. The occurrence of coccidiosis was more in backyard chickens than in organized farms. In the present study, percentage prevalence malnutrition and non-use of coccidiostats as preventive measures. The warmth and moisture in such environment favours greater transmission and contamination of oocysts. However, the higher prevalence rate of coccidiosis during the rainy season also agrees with earlier reports of Oluyemi and Roberts 1979; Halle et al. 1998; Alawa et al. 2001).

Higher oocysts count was recorded from July to September with a peak value in July and lowest in the month of May. This observation correlates with the fact that sporulation of coccidian oocysts requires moisture and optimum temperature of 30 °C (Pellérdy 1974). It was observed that the temperature of the study area was above 35 °C in summer months with a relative low humidity which is unfavourable for development of oocysts. On the other hand, oocyst count increased in monsoon when rainfall renders humidity and temperature conducive for sporulation of oocysts. These observations are in agreement with those of Sisodia et al. (1997) and Senthilvel et al. (2004) who reported a similar pattern of intensity of Eimeria species at Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, respectively.

Analysis according to age groups showed that the spread of infection increased with age, peaking in 31–45 days and diminishing afterwards. The OPG ratio also increased with age, with a peak in 31–45 days and a definite decrease after that. The results are in agreement with the studies of Karaer et al. (2011) who reported the peak OPG values in 31–40 days age group in broiler farms in Turkey. A possible reason for this may be that during the period between 31 and 45 days of age the birds have not attained immunity against coccidiosis, resulting in the increased incidence of the disease.

The present findings on the prevalence and species spectrum of chicken coccidiosis in Jammu region are of much significance from the economic and pathological point of view as very little or no documented information is available on these aspects.

Acknowledgments

The authors thanks to the Dean, FVSc and A.H., R.S. Pura Jammu for providing necessary facilities at time of research.

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