Acta Vet. Brno 2008, 77: 111-116

https://doi.org/10.2754/avb200877010111

Prevalence of Coccidian Species in the Water Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) in the Province of Afyon, Turkey

S. Nalbantoglu1, B. Sari2, H. Cicek3, Z. Karaer1

1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ankara, Ankara, Turkey
2Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kafkas, Kars, Turkey
3Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Afyon Kocatepe, Afyon, Turkey

Received January 29, 2007
Accepted February 14, 2008

The objective of this study was to identify the coccidian species present in water buffaloes in the vicinity of Afyon. Faecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of a total of 104 water buffaloes, and examined in the laboratory using Sheather's saturated sugar solution. Faecal samples found to contain Eimeria species were mixed with a solution of 2.5% potassium dichromate, left at room temperature in petri dishes until the oocysts sporulated, and then examined in order to identify the species. Eleven different Eimeria species and one Isospora species were identified in 78 (75%) out of the 104 water buffaloes as follows: E. zuernii (55.1%), E. auburnensis (44.9%), E. bovis (44.9%), E. ellipsoidalis (28.2%), E. ankarensis (16.7%), E. subspherica (16.7%), E. alabamensis (11.5%), E. cylindrica (10.3%), E. bareillyi (5.1%), E. canadensis (5.1%), E. brasiliensis (3.8%), and Isospora spp. (46.2%). With this study, species causing coccidiosis in water buffaloes in the province of Afyon were identified for the first time, and Isospora spp. in the water buffalo is reported for the first time.

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