Prevalence of Eimeria and Cryptosporidium oocysts in cattle, sheep and goats in Morogoro Region, Tanzania

Abstract

Kambarage, D.M., Kimera, S.I., Kusiluka, L.J.M. and Mtambo, M.M.A. 1996. Prevalence of Eimeria and Cryptosporidium oocysts in cattle, sheep and goats in Morogoro region, Tanzania. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 9: 73–78.

Domestic ruminants were screened for Eimeria and Cryptosporidium oocysts in faeces. The prevalence rate of Eimeria oocysts in cattle was 44% with 73.8% of the infected animals showing low counts (>10³ oocysts/g of faeces). The prevalence rate in goats was 97.3% and 42.6% of the infected animals were excreting between lO³-5x10³ oocysts, whereas 16.5% had 5x10³-10⁴ oocysts/g of faeces. Very high counts (<5x10⁴ oocysts) were observed in a few diarrhoeic kids and adult goats which were in poor body condition. The prevalence rate in sheep was 97.5% and the majority (56.2%) had low counts (>10³ oocysts), whereas 39.7% excreted 10³-5x10³ oocysts/g of faeces. In contrast to the high prevalence of Eimeria oocysts in cattle, sheep and goats, Cryptosporidium oocysts were demonstrated in only three goats (0.8%).

Key words:

• Eimeria
• Cryptosporidia
• ruminants