Abstract: In the present study, the prevalence of coccidial infection was investigated in dairy cattle and Qinchuan cattle in Shaanxi province, Northwestern China. A total of 228 cattle (83 and 145 for dairy cattle and Qinchuan cattle, respectively) feces samples were collected and examined by flotation technique using saturated saline. Coccidial oocysts were seen in 90 faecal samples with overall prevalence of 34.94% (29/83) and 42.07% (61/145) for dairy cattle and Qinchuan cattle. About 12 Eimeria (namely, E. subspherica, E. ellipsoidalis, E. zurnii, E. pellita, E. bovis, E. canadensis, E. bukidnonensis, E. cylindrica, E. auburnensis, E. brasiliensis, E. bombayansis, E. alabamensis) and one Isospora (only found in Qinchuan cattle) species were identified according to the time of sporulation Coudert’s key and morphological features of sporulated oocysts with the most common species of E. bovis, E. ellipsoidalis, E. zurnii. Total >80 and 90% samples for two breeds were infected with ≥2 species. The coccidial Oocysts Per Gram (OPG) were ranged from 0-2150 with average of 276. These results suggested that integrated strategies should be implemented to prevent and control coccidial infection in cattle in this province.
S.K. Yu, M. Gao, N. Huang, Y.Q. Jia and Q. Lin, 2011. Prevalence of Coccidial Infection in Cattle in Shaanxi Province, Northwestern China. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 2716-2719.