Eimeria spp. in broiler rabbit: seasonal prevalence in the backyard farms of the State of Mexico

Abstract

The cuniculture has become an important source of animal protein in many countries. The coccidiosis is the most common parasitic disease of the rabbits and is responsible for severe economic losses for breeders. Rabbit coccidiosis is caused by 11 species of the genus Eimeria, which vary considerably in terms of their morphology and pathogenicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence of Eimeria spp in backyard farms from Mexico during annual seasons. Cross-sectional sampling was performed in young rabbits (20 to 60 days of age) with diarrhea history, from three municipalities located in the south-east region from the State of Mexico. Flotation and Mc Master techniques were performed; oocysts were sporulated and measured for morphometric identification. The highest prevalence of Eimeria was found in autumn (75%) in Temamatla and winter (88%) in Amecameca, being the lower prevalence in spring (5%) in Temamatla. In terms of their pathogenicity E. itestinalis was the more pathogen found in this study, being the annual prevalence of 11.3%. It is important to continue with studies of prevalence in other regions of the State of Mexico, in order to understand the pattern of presentation and distribution of the Eimeria spp infection.

Keywords

• Prevalence
• Oocyst
• Preventive medicine
• Rabbit Coccidiosis