Coccidiosis

Abstract

Coccidiosis disease caused by Eimeria parasite causes severe economic loss in small ruminants, especially goats. The various species of Eimeria are host specific and there is no crossinfection between sheep and goats. The disease mainly affects young kids by localizing in the epithelial cells of the small and large intestine. Disease depends on various stresses to which the individual is subjected, the environment, the extent of contamination, and exposure to infection. Clinical coccidiosis is characterized by severe white nodules in the intestinal mucosa. It can be confirmed by finding oocysts in the diarrhea of sick animals along with molecular and serological methods. Control of this disease relies heavily on both management measures and chemical control with anticoccidial drugs. Drug resistance should be considered a significant potential threat in coccidiosis treatment.