LAUSR

Abstract Parasites of the genus Eimeria induce relevant economic losses in small ruminants worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of goats and sheep coccidiosis in a semi-arid region of North-eastern Brazil and to assess whether the rearing system represents a risk factor for the distribution of the infection. A total of 822 fresh faecal samples were collected from the rectum of goats (n = 414) and sheep (n = 408) All samples were individually processed using the technique described by Gordon and Whitlock, and after sporulation in 2.5% Potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7), an accurate morphometric analysis was performed, with oocysts morphologically identified at species level. The analysis of the risk factors associated with Eimeria infection and system of rearing was performed through univariate analysis and logistic regression. Out of all animals sampled, 70.07% (576/822) scored positive for coccidia oocysts, with an overall prevalence of the infection of 73.91% (306/414) in goats and 66.18% (270/408) in sheep (χ2 = 5.50; p = 0.01). Eight Eimeria species were identified either in goats (i.e., E. arloingi, E. ninakohlyakimovae, E. alijevi, E. jolchijevi, E. caprina, E. chirstenseni, E. caprovina and E. hirci) and in sheep (i.e., E. ovinoidalis, E. parva, E. crandallis, E. granulosa, E. bakuensis, E. ashata, E. faurei, E. pallida). The analysis of risk factors revealed that the semi-intensive system (OR = 1.57) was a risk factor for goats, and, incontrast, intensive system for sheep (OR = 2.45) was safer, relative to Eimeria species transmission. Data reported in this study indicate that a wide species diversity and frequency of coccidia affect small ruminants in the study area. Finally, these findings are pivotal to better understand the dynamics of infection by this coccidian in these herds, as well as sound as an alert for practice veterinarians of the region, regarding the most common pathogenic species.