Prevalence of coccidia and gastrointestinal nematode infections in cross bred goats in the dry areas of Sri Lanka

The prevalence and intensity of oocysts of coccidia, particularly Eimeria s pecies, and eggs of gastrointestinal nematodes in kids (2-4 months), young goats (5-12 months) and adult goats (>1 year) were determined in five large herds managed extensively in five villages in the dry zone. Of the represe ntative samples examined, oocysts were found in 88% of kids, 91% of young g oats and 83% of adults. Seven species of Eimeria were identified in faecal samples by salt flotation. Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae (31%), E. alijevi (29% ) and E. arloingi (21%) were the most common species in all age categories. Other species encountered were E, christenseni (7%), E. jolchijevi (6%), E . hirchi (3%) and E. aspheronica (1%). Gastrointestinal nematode eggs were found in 89% of the kids, 94% of the young goats and 84% of the adult goats . Identification of gastrointestinal nematodes revealed Haemonchus contortu s (90%) followed by Oesophogostomum spp. (8.5%) and Trichostrongylus spp. ( 1%) in all three age categories examined. Both Eimeria and gastrointestinal nematodes were found in 77% of the kids, 86% of the young goats and 71% of adult goats. The mean oocyst counts per gram of faeces in kids, young grea ts and adult goats were 9728, 1946, and 2667, respectively The oocyst count s were not different significantly between age groups (P > 0.05). The mean egg counts per gram of faeces in kids, young goats and adult goats were 121 7, 1641 and 1092, respectively. The egg counts in kids were significantly l ower than that in young goats (P < 0.05). The intensity of Eimeria and gast rointestinal nematode infections between herds were significantly different (P < 0.01). <(c)> 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.