Abstract: In this study, prevalence of coccidiosis in domestic rabbits in Northwest China was investigated. A total of 1,622 fecal specimens of rabbits were collected between March 2008 and June 2011 from 69 different areas in 5 provinces, Northwestern China. About 14 species of Eimeria were examined, namely, E. stiedai, E. media, E. magna, E. irrestidua, E. piriformis, E. exigua, E. intestinalis, E. coecicola, E. neoleporis, E. nagpurensis, E. leporis, E. flsvescens, E. matsubayashii and E. perforans. The overall prevalence of these coccidial infections in rabbits was 78.11% (1627/1622). Concurrent infections involving two species were common. Significant differences in prevalence were not observed among five provinces but there exist differences in the dominant species of coccidia. There exists significant difference in prevalence between the adult rabbits (>6 months old) and juvenile rabbits (<3 months old). This is the first extensive survey of the prevalence of Eimeria sp. infection in domestic rabbits in Northwest China which provides useful epidemiological information for the prevention and control of coccidiosis.
J. Qiao, Q.L. Meng, X.P. Cai, G.F. Tian, C.F. Chen, J.W. Wang, W.S. Wang, Z.C. Zhang, K.J. Cai and L.H. Yang, 2012. Prevalence of Coccidiosis in Domestic Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Northwest China. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 517-520.