Prevalence and pathology of bovine coccidiosis in Faisalabad district, Pakistan

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the presence of coccidial oocysts and pathological changes in a dairy herd with the history of coccidial outbreak in Faisalabad District. Fecal samples were collected from 541 animals, including cattle (379) and buffaloes (162), and examined for protozoal infection using flotation techniques. Results revealed 2.9% presence of coccidial oocysts in the samples collected. No significant difference was found in coccidial oocysts count in species of the cattle (2.3%) and buffaloes (4.3%), sex and age group. Necropsy revealed no gross lesions in thoracic organs, however, severe hemorrhages and necrotic ulcers were present in the cecum and colon. The striking features of the findings were transverse zebra striping over the mucosal surface of the large intestine of all dead animals. Histological examination of the large intestine revealed desquamation of epithelial lining, mononuclear cellular infiltration in the lamina propria and mucosal scars with severe hemorrhages. Moreover, a massive number of coccidial cells nested in the lamina propria of all infected animals. The presence of coccidial oocysts in the fecal and tissues suggested that the cattle and buffaloes died of coccidiosis.