THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COCCIDIAL AND HELMINTH INFECTIONS IN SHEEP AND GOATS IN KENYA

Studies on prevalence of coccidian oocysts and their infection levels (oocysts g-1, OPG) were carried out among various age groups of sheep and goats from different geographical locations in Kenya. Prevalent sp ecies of Eimeria were identified and levels of infection with strongyl e eggs (eggs g-1, EPG) examined. A significant difference was found in the EPG levels between various farms but not in the OPG levels; this was attributed to the relative susceptibility of various preparasitic stages of helminths to adverse climatic conditions, especially desicca tion, compared with coccidian oocysts. There was a negative correlatio n between OPG levels and the age of animals as a result of acquired im munity. Between OPG and EPG values there was a positive correlation wh ich is in tandem with the role of contamination in the acquisition of both types of infection. Sheep were found to shed significantly more o ocysts and helminth eggs than goats; this could be related to the diff erences in their mode of feeding, i.e. grazing and browsing respective ly. Young age (under 1 year) and confinement were found to contribute to high prevalence of oocysts in faecal samples. In sheep, a total of ten species of Eimeria were identified, the most prevalent being E ovi na (43%) and E. ovinoidalis (16.5%). In goat samples, eight species we re identified, the commonest being E. arloingi (37.5%) and E. ninakohl yakimovae (35.2%).