Determination of the morphology of Eimeria spp. in beef cattle in Bandung Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Eimeria spp. include endoparasites that can infect the digestive tract of cattle. Coccidiosis can reduce productivity, cause economic losses, increase susceptibility to other diseases, and even cause death; therefore, the urgency of the government’s role in giving special attention to this case. A high potential case was found in farms with poor livestock management systems. Coccidiosis often does not show clinical symptoms; therefore, breeders and veterinarians have difficulty recognizing early symptoms in the field. Aim: The purpose of the research is to identify and characterize the morphology of Eimeria spp. Methods: Fresh fecal samples were obtained from 106 beef cattle from Bandung Regency. Examination of fecal samples using the floating method with saturated sugar. The shape of the oocyst was observed using an Optilab microscope and oocyst measurements were performed using Image Raster software. Result: The examination results showed that 51 stool samples out of the 106 samples tested positive for Eimeria spp. The samples revealed eight different species of Eimeria. Conclusion: Eight Eimeria spp. were identified from the samples taken from the Bandung regency and they were Eimeria bovis, Eimeria zuernii, Eimeria alabamensis, Eimeria cylindrica, Eimeria auburnensis, Eimeria. wyomingensis, Eimeria pellita, Eimeria canadensis. The prevalence of beef cattle coccidiosis in Bandung Regency was 48.11%. Morphological determination can be used to diagnose Eimeria spp. based on shape, size, shape index, and characteristics.