Prevalence of Rabbit Coccidia in Medea Province, Algeria

Abstract

Coccidiosis has an economic impact for poultry and livestock. The current study examined the prevalence of Eimeria infections in domestic rabbits in Medea province, North of Algeria. A total of 414 faecal samples were collected from 50 farms in six regions of the province. Each faecal sample was subjected to oocyst counting and isolation. The Eimeria species from samples containing isolated and sporulated oocysts were morphologically identified microscopically. The overall prevalence of coccidial infections was 47.6% (197/414). Weaners had the highest prevalence (77%, 77/100, p<0.0001), followed by growing rabbits (46.8%, 30/64) and the adult rabbits showed the lowest prevalence (36 %, 18/50). In breeding rabbits, females were more infected with a prevalence of 40% (p<0.0001). Eleven rabbit Eimeria’s species were present and identified from oocyst positive samples. Eimeria magna and Eimeria media were the most prevalent species (47.6% and 47.3%). Sulfonamides showed a better protection against rabbit coccidiosis than colistin and trimethoprim association (p< 0.0001, prevalence of 23.3% vs. 65.3% respectively). These results indicated that the prevalence of coccidiosis is high among the rabbit population in Medea province, North of Algeria. As a conclusion, it seems that the epidemiological situation of rabbit coccidiosis in Medea province must be taken into consideration in order to minimize the economic losses caused by this parasitosis.