East East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci. (2022), Vol. 3, Issue. 2, 40-47 *Corresponding author: Email: mereba480@gmail.com, +251 916 83 24 19 https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/eajbcs.v3i2.1S Ovine Eimeria infection, OPG and determinants in and around Gondar town, Ethiopia Senait Belay1 and Desie Sheferaw*1 1Hawassa University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, P.O.Box 005, Hawassa, Ethiopia; KEYWORDS: Eimeria; Gondar; OPG; Prevalence; Sheep; Ethiopia ABSTRACT The study aimed to assess the prevalence of ovine Eimeria infection, assess the putative risk factors, and the intensity of infection. A cross-sectional study design was employed and the study was carried out from November 2017 to May 2018. A total of 422 sheep were selected by systematic random sampling technique, and from these animals, faecal samples were collected and examined for Eimeria oocysts. Of the selected and examined sheep 132 (31.3%, 95% CI=26.8-35.7) were found infected by Eimeria species. Eimeria infection prevalence was significant (P <0.05) higher in lambs/young than the adult, in females than males, and in poor body condition than in medium body condition sheep. Moreover, the prevalence of Eimeria infection was significantly (P <0.05) higher in sheep with soft faeces than in normal faeces sheep and semi-intensive than extensive sheep production. The intensity of Eimeria species infection was influenced by the age, sex, body condition, fecal consistency, and production system of sheep (P< 0.05). The overall mean Oocysts per gram of faeces was 2390.6 (95% CI=2007.5-2773.8). The mean OPG was significantly higher in lambs, with poor body conditions and female sheep. In addition, it was higher in sheep with soft faeces and an extensive production system. In conclusion Eimeria species infection was an important problem of sheep production in the study area. Generally, this study's results provided useful information to design and implement appropriate control strategies. Finally, it is recommended that further study identify the species of Eimeria circulating in the areas. INTRODUCTION Ethiopia is home to a large and diverse livestock resource (Gizaw et al., 2010); and the country has around 17 million sheep (CSA, 2021). This means sheep represent an important segment of the livestock system in the country. Sheep are important sources of income for the agricultural communities, represent one of the country’s major sources of foreign currency through the export of skins and meat, and are a source of animal protein. They also play a major role in the food supply and social well-being of rural communities living in conditions of extreme poverty, which is the particular case in parts of Ethiopia (Dagnew et al., 2017; Gizachew et al., 2014). The major constraints for sheep production in Ethiopia are feed shortage, grazing land limitation, problems related to Veterinary Services, and diseases (Welday et al., 2019; Kenfo et al., 2018; Nigussie et al., 2013). According to Gizaaw et al. (2013), one of the research gaps is sheep diseases, of which East African Journal of Biophysical and Computational Sciences Journal homepage : https://journals.hu.edu.et/hu-journals/index.php/eajbcs Hawassa University College of Natural & Computational Sciences Year 2021 Volume xx No xx Research article mailto:mereba480@gmail.com https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/eajbcs.v3i2.1S East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci. (2022), Vol. 3, No. 2, 40-47 41 parasites are among the most important diseases. Among parasitic diseases, Coccidiosis is an important protozoan parasitic infection that is responsible for low productivity, impaired growth, and mortality in sheep populations (Ayana et al., 2009). It is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Eimeria that affects young animals in particular (Hendson and Agnes, 2002). They are highly species-specific, meaning the species of Eimeria that infect sheep will not infect goats or cattle and vice versa (Constable et al., 2017; Aitken, 2007). Coccidiosis in sheep was reported in various parts of the world (Khan et al., 2011; Bukar, 2007; Toulah, 2007). Also reported from Ethiopia (Lakew and Seyoum, 2016; Ayana et al., 2009), but in the country, there are some areas with limited information about the prevalence of Eimeria species infection in the sheep. There is no study of Eimeria species infection prevalence of sheep in and around Gondar. Therefore, the aims of this particular study were to estimate the prevalence of Eimeria species infection, to identify the putative risk factors and to assess the intensity of infection in sheep in and around Gondar. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study Area This study was carried out in and around Gondar town (Azezo, Tseda, Maksegnit, Angereb, Ayra and Fenter Kebeles) from November 2017 to May 2018. Gondar town is located in Amhara regional State, North-West Ethiopia. The study area is located at an latitude and longitude of 12.30 - 13.80 °N, 35.30 - 35.7°E; and its altitude is on average about 2220 meters above sea level. The mean annual rainfall and temperature of the area were 1172mm and 19.7oC, respectively (National Meteorological Agency, 2017). Study animals The study animals of the study were sheep flock reared under an extensive and semi-intensive management system. All grazing age groups, local breed,, and both sexes of sheep were considered for the study (Breed information was obtained with personal communication with the owners). Study design Across sectional study design was employed to estimate the prevalence of Eimeria infection of sheep in and around Gondar town. During this study faecal consistency, age, sex and body condition of the sheep, the hygienic status of the animal house and management system were considered as potential risk factors (independent variables) for Eimeria infection (dependent variable) of sheep. The study animals were divided into three age groups, namely: lamb (less than 6 months old), young (6-12 months old), and adult (over 12 months old) as described by ESGPIP (2009) and Gatenby et al. (1991). Faecal consistency was examined and classified as normal (Formed pellets), soft (Pellets not formed) as described by (Platzer et al., 2005). Body conditions of the study animals were scored as poor, medium, and good as described by Russel (1991). Sample size determination & sampling techniques The required sample size for this study was computed by considering 50% prevalence of ovine Eimeria spp. infection, to obtain the East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci. (2022), Vol. 3, No. 2, 40-47 42 maximum sample size. The formula described by Thrusfield (2018) was used to compute the sample size required for the study. The study considered a 95% confidence interval and 5% absolute precision. Therefore, 384 sheep were required for the study; but 422 animals were selected and studied. A systematic random sampling method was used to select the study animals from the target sheep flock. Study methodology Faecal sample collection Faecal samples, about 10gm, were collected directly from the rectum of the sheep by using arm-length plastic gloves, and placed in screw capped universal sample bottle. Each samples was labeled with the necessary information about the animal and the sample (i.e. age, sex, faecal consistency and body condition score) were recorded on the format prepared for this study. Moreover, the hygienic status of the animal and the management system was carefully observed. Finally, the samples were packed in icebox with ice packs and transported to the parasitological laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gondar University. The samples were kept in refrigerator at 4ºC until examined. Collected samples were examined within 24 hours for the presence or absence of Eimeria oocysts as described previously (Taylor et al. 2016; Zajac and Conboy, 2011). Qualitative and Quantitative faecal examination From the collected faecal samples, 3gm was weighed and properly mixed with 42ml flotation fluid (Saturated salt solution). Then sieved by tea strainer and filled to test tube, and then centrifuged at 1,500 rpm for 3 minutes. The sample taken out of the centrifuge and the supernatant was examined for Eimeria oocysts under 10X and 40X microscopic magnifications as described by Urquhart et al. (1996). Those faecal samples positive in the qualitative examination were subjected to quantitative examination. For this examination, McMaster egg counting technique (Urquhart et al., 1996; MAFF, 1986) was used to determine the number of oocysts per gram of faeces and assess the intensity of infection. Data management and analysis Collected data were entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, cleaned, coded, and then summarized by descriptive statistics like percentages or proportion and mean. The prevalence of Eimeria infection was computed by dividing the number of positive animals by the total number of animals examined and multiplied by 100. The association of the various risk factors considered for this study was analyzed by univariable logistic regression analysis. Those non-collinear factors with a p- value of ≤ 0.25 in the univariable logistic regression analysis were further analyzed by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The dependability of the fitted model was further evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Finally, the model fitness was assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness fit test as described by Dohoo et al. (2009). The mean number of oocysts per gram of faeces was computed by considering those sheep positive in the qualitative examination for oocysts. Oocysts per gram of faeces was determined and then after, to normalize the data were log-transformed (log10+1). The transformed data were analyzed by using a t-test for the existence of associations between oocysts per East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci. (2022), Vol. 3, No. 2, 40-47 43 gram of faeces (OPG) and the risk factors were analyzed by paired t-test. For the data analysis, STATA 14.2 software (Stata Corp 4905 Lakeway Drive, College Station, Texas 77845 USA) was used. RESULTS Qualitative faecal examination results From a total of 422 examined sheep 132 (31.3%, 95% CI=26.8-35.7) were infected by Eimeria species. The association of risk factors for infection of sheep by Eimeria species was shown in table 1. Table- 1: Results of Lgistic regression analysis of risk factrs for Eimeria infection in sheep in and around Gondar Variable Category No. examined Prevalence Univariable Multivariable No. (%) positive 95% CI OR P-value OR 95% CI P-value Age Lamb 96 56 (58.3) 48.4-68.3 6.3 ≤0.001 5.4 3.2-11.9 ≤0.001 Young 151 44 (29.1) 21.8-36.4 1.8 0. 022 2.8 1.3-4.2 0.005 Adult 175 32 (18.3) 12.5-24.0 Rf. - Rf - - Sex Male 237 96 (19.5) 13.7-25.2 Rf. - Rf - - Female 185 36 (40.5) 34.2-46.8 2.8 ≤0.001 3.8 1.7-4.9 ≤0.001 Faecal consistency Normal 242 56 (23.1) 17.8-28.4 Rf. - Rf. - - Soft 180 76 (42.2) 35.0-49.5 2.4 ≤0.001 5.7 2.6-7.1 ≤0.001 BCS Poor 147 73 (49.7) 41.5-57.8 3.6 ≤0.001 2.2 1.1-3.0 0.030 Medium 275 59 (21.5) 16.6-23.3 Rf. - Rf - - Managemen t system Extensive 244 43 (17.6) 12.8-22.4 Rf. - Rf - - Semi-intensive 178 89 (50.0) 42.6-57.4 4.7 ≤0.001 5.7 2.6-7.1 ≤0.001 Total 422 132 (31.3) 26.8-35.7 - - - - BCS= Body condition; NB. OR= Odds ratio; CI= Confidence interval; Rf=Reference category All the independent variables were non- collinear [gamma value (γ) value fall between - 0.6 and +0.6], and the univariable analysis p- value was <0.25. Hence, all the risk factors were subjected to multivariable analysis. The final model had Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2 (8) = 13.66, P= 0.091, and ROC= 0.7621 that there is no significant difference between the observed and predicted values. Quantitative faecal examination result The minimum and maximum numbers of Oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG) were 300 and 12,500, respectively. The overall mean OPG of faeces was 2390.6 Oocysts/gram of faeces (Table 2). East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci. (2022), Vol. 3, No. 2, 40-47 44 Table- 2: Mean OPG and t-test analysis of risk factors for intensity of Eimeria species infection Risk factors and its levels No examined No positive Mean OPG 95% CI t-value P-value Sex *Female 237 96 2618.9 2146.4-3091.3 4.95 ≤0.001 *Male 185 36 1781.9 1172.0-2391.9 Rf. Age -Lamb 96 56 3294.8 2638.3-3951.3 8.01 ≤0.001 -Young 151 44 1920.5 1324.7-2516.2 2.44 0.015 -Adult 175 32 1454.7 914.8-1994.6 Rf. Body condition *Poor 147 73 3266.6 2714.7-3818.4 7.12 ≤0.001 *Medium 275 59 1306.8 931.1-1682.5 Rf. Faecal consistency -Soft 180 76 3008.7 2462.5-3554.9 4.84 ≤0.001 -Normal 242 56 1551.8 1107.0-1996,6 Rf. Management system *Extensive 244 43 2061.6 1421.5-2701.8 Rf *Semi-intensive 178 89 2549.6 2067.9-3031.2 7.62 ≤0.001 Overall 422 132 2390.6 2007.5-2773.8 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of Eimeria species infection of sheep in and around Gondar was 31.3%. All risk factors considered during this study for Eimeria species infection of sheep were significantly (p< 0.05) influencing infection of sheep by Eimeria species. Lamb and young sheep were 5.4 and 2.8 times more likely to be exposed to Eimeria species infection than the adult sheep, respectively. Similar observations were reported from various areas of the world (Elkhatam et al., 2020; Etsay et al., 2020; Paul et al., 2020; Kiltuet al., 2016; Nourollahi-Fard et al., 2016; Lakew and Seyoum, 2016; Wang et al., 2010; Maingi and Munyua, 1994; Kanyari, 1993). Infection of sheep followed by the development of species-specific immunity, and so, sheep infected and immune to one species of Eimeria may not be re-infected again by the same species of Eimeria. This difference might be related to earlier infection and the development of immunity in adult sheep (Matos et al., 2018; Constable et al., 2017; Rehman et al., 2011; Yakhchali and Golami, 2008). The other justification could be there is no active immunity to Eimeria species in younger naïve sheep (Paul et al., 2020). This study showed that Eimeria infection was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in female sheep than in male sheep as also reported by various authors (Elkhatam et al., 2020; Etsay et al., 2020; Paul et al., 2020; Sharma et al., 2017; Kiltu et al., 2016; Khan et al., 2011; Rehman et al., 2011; Sharma et al., 2009; Yakhchali and Golami, 2008), which reported sex influences the prevalence of ovine Coccidiosis. This might be attributed to sex-related factors including the physiological stress encountered by the ewe (i.e. pregnancy; lambing, and suckling the newborn lamb), which was the reason for the ewe being more susceptible to Eimeria infections (Heidari et al., 2014; Lopes et al., 2013). A significantly higher (P< 0.05) prevalence of Eimeria infection was found in semi-intensive than extensive production systems of sheep, which is also reported in various areas of the East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci. (2022), Vol. 3, No. 2, 40-47 45 world (de Macedo et al., 2020; Lakew and Seyoum, 2016; Kanyari, 1993). In an extensive management system, animals are freely moving in larger areas, and hence, the chance of infection is decreased as compared to the semi- intensive management system. It is known that a semi-intensive management system (i.e. where high animal population density occurs) contributed to the propagation of Eimeria species (de Macedo et al., 2020). As the flock size of sheep increases, there is greater contamination of feeding and watering troughs (Yakhchali and Rezaei, 2014). Hence, confinement was found to contribute to high prevalence (Kanyari, 1993). In this study, a significant association was documented between body condition score and Eimeria infection. Similarly, Lakew and Seyoum (2016) and Khan et al. (2011) reported a higher infection rate in sheep with poor body condition scores. The poor body condition in sheep might be due to the immunosuppressive effect of concurrent disease problems and/or nutritional scarcity. All these can negatively influence the animal feed intake and weaken the immunity, and the sheep become highly susceptible and get infected (Constable et al., 2017). During this study, a significant (P< 0.05) association of Eimeria species infection was observed in sheep with soft faecal consistency than the normal faeces. This finding is in a general agreement with reports from various parts of the world (Khodakaram-Tafti and Hashemnia, 2017; Lakew and Seyoum, 2016; Yakhchali and Rezaei, 2014; Yakhchali and Golami, 2008). Infection by most of the pathogenic Eimeria species leads to the destruction of intestinal epithelial cells and induces enteritis followed by diarrhea (Constable et al., 2017; Chartier, and Paraud, 2012; Wang et al., 2010; Urquhart et al., 1996). The mean oocysts count from infected animals was 2390 OPG (range 300 to 12,500). The mean was meaningfully higher (p< 0.05) in lamb and young, female, and poor body condition sheep. In addition, it was statistically significant (p< 0.05) in sheep with soft faecal consistency and semi-intensively managed (Table 2). Higher oocyst counts were reported in lamb and/or young sheep (Chartier and Paraud, 2012; Arslan et al., 1999; Maingi and Munyua, 1994; Kanyari, 1993) and the semi-intensive production systems (Chartier and Paraud, 2012) from various areas. The negative association between OPG and the age of sheep was a result of acquired immunity (Kanyari, 1993). Factors inducing stress, for example, increased number of animals in an area like in the semi-intensive production system, and loss of body condition might increase the oocysts output. In a nut shell, the present study revealed that the prevalence of Eimeria species infection in sheep is higher. And it was significantly associated with various host-related (i.e. Age, sex, body condition, and faecal consistency) and environmental factors (i.e. Production system). So, this result provided useful information to design and implement appropriate control strategies. Finally, it is recommended that further to study identify the species of Eimeria circulating in the areas. Limitation of the study The major limitation of the study was lack of facilities for Eimeria spp. identification. East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci. (2022), Vol. 3, No. 2, 40-47 46 List of Abbreviations CSA: Central Statistical Authority; OPG: Oocysts per gram of faeces; ROC: Receiver operating characteristic curve. Acknowledgment The authors were grateful to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gondar University, for providing access to the laboratory service. References Aitken I.D. 2007. Diseases of sheep, 4th edition, Blackwell Publishing, UK. pp. 181-183. Arslan M.O., Umur S. and Kara M. 1999. The prevalence of coccidian species in sheep in Kars province of Turkey. Trop. Anim. Health Prod. 31(3):161-165. Ayana D., Tilahun G. and Wossene A. 2009. Study on Eimeria and Cryptosporidium infections in sheep and goats at Elfora export abattoir, Debre-Zeit, Ethiopia. Turk. J. Vet. Anim. Sci. 33: 367-371. Bukar M.B. 2007. Epidemiological studies of ovine coccidial infection in selected farm in Bauchi state, Nigeria. Niger. J. Anim. Prod. 10: 16-28. Chartier C. and Paraud C. 2012.Coccidiosis due to Eimeria in sheep and goats, a review. Small Rum. Res. 103: 84-92. Constable P.D., Hinchcliff K.W., Done S.H. and Grünberg W. 2017. Veterinary medicine: A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs, and Goats, 11th Edition, Elsevier Ltd., pp. 401- 408 CSA.2021. Central Statistical Agency, Agricultural Sample Survey, Volume II, Report on Livestock and Livestock characteristics, Statistical Bulletin 589, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pp.199. Dagnew Y., Urge M., Tadesse Y. and Gizaw S. 2017. Sheep Production and Breeding Systems in North- Western Lowlands of Amhara Region, Ethiopia: Implication for Conservation and Improvement of Gumz Sheep Breed. Open J. Anim. Sci. 7: 179-197. deMacedo L.O., Bezerra-Santos M.A., de Mendonc C.L., CaˆmaraAlves L.C., Ramos R.A.N. and de Carvalho G.A. 2020. Prevalence and risk factors associated with infection by Eimeria spp. in goats and sheep in Northeastern Brazil. J. Parasit. Dis. 44: 607-612. Dohoo I., Martin W. and Stryhn H. 2009. Veterinary epidemiologic research, 2nd edition, AVC, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, pp. 706 Elkhatam A., El-Debakhy M., AbouLaila M. and Elbahy N. 2020. Studies on Ovine Coccidiosis in Menoof District, Menoufia, Egypt. J. Curr. Vet. Res. 2(2): 98-104. ESGPIP. 2009. Ethiopian Sheep and Goats Productivity Improvement Program Estimation of weight and age of sheep and goats. Technical Bulletin, No.23. Etsay K., Megbey S. and Yohannes H. 2020.Prevalence of sheep and goat Coccidiosis in different districts of Tigray region, Ethiopia. Nigerian J. Anim. Sci. 22(3): 61-69. Gatenby M.R., Coste R. and Smith J.A. 1991. Sheep, The Tropical Agriculturalist. Macmillan, London, and Wageningen, pp: 6-11. Gizachew A., Fikadu N. and Birhanu T. 2014. Prevalence and associated risk factors of major sheep gastrointestinal parasites in and around Bako Town, Western Ethiopia. Livest. Res. Rur. Devel.26(172). http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd26/10/giza26 172.html Gizaw S., Abegaz S., Rischkowsky B., Haile A., Mwai A.O. and Dessie T. 2013. Review of sheep research and development projects in Ethiopia. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). pp. 48 Gizaw S., Tegegne A., Gebremedhin B. and Hoekstra D. 2010. Sheep and goat production and marketing systems in Ethiopia: Characteristics and strategies for improvement. ILRI, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. pp. 49 Heidari H., Sadeghi-Dehkordi Z., Moayedi R. and Gharekhani, J. 2014. Occurrence and diversity of Eimeria species in cattle in Hamedan province, Iran. Vet Med. 59: 271-275. Hindson J.C. and Agnes C.W. 2002. Manual of sheep diseases, 2nd edition, Blackwell Ltd., Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0EL, UK. pp. 96-98 Kanyari P.W.N. 1993.The relationship between coccidial and helminth infections in sheep and goats in Kenya, Short Communication. Vet. Parasitol. 51: 137-141. Kenfo H., Mekasha Y. and Tadesse Y. 2018. A study on sheep farming practices in relation to future production strategies in Bensa district of Southern Ethiopia. Trop. Anim. Health Prod. 50: 865-874. Khan M.N., Rehman T., Iqbal Z., Sajid M.S., Ahmad M. and Riaz M. 2011. Prevalence and associated risk factors of Eimeria in Sheep of Punjab, Pakistan. World Acad. Sci. Eng. Tech. 5(7): 334-338. Khodakaram-Tafti A. and Hashemnia M. 2017. An overview of intestinal Coccidiosis in sheep and goats. Revue Méd. Vét., 167 (1-2): 9-20 Kiltu G., Keffale M. and Muktar Y. 2016. Study on prevalence of Small Ruminant Coccidiosis in and around Harmaya, Eastern Hararghe, Ethiopia. Acta Parasitol. Globalis 7(1): 07-11. http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd26/10/giza26172.html http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd26/10/giza26172.html East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci. (2022), Vol. 3, No. 2, 40-47 47 Lakew A. and Seyoum Z. 2016. Ovine coccidiosis prevalence and associated risk factor in and around Addis-Zemen, Ethiopia. Turk. J. Vet. Med. Anim. Sci., 18: 645-650. Lopes W.D.Z., Borges F.D.A., Faiolla T.D.P., Antunes L.T., Borges D.G.L., Rodriguez F.D.S., Feraro G. and Texeira W.F. 2013.Eimeria species in young and adult sheep raised under intensive and semi- intensive systems of a herd from Umuarama city, Parana State, Brazil. Cienc. Rural. 43(11): 2031- 2036. MAFF. 1986. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food: Manual of veterinary parasitological laboratory techniques. Her Majesty's Stationary Office, London, UK Maingi N. and Munyua W.K. 1994. The prevalence and intensity of infection with Eimeria species in sheep in Nyandarua District of Kenya. Vet. Res. Commun. 18(1):19-25. Matos L., Muñoz M.C., Molina J.M., Rodríguez F., Pérez D., López A.M., Hermosilla C., Taubert A. and Ruiz A. 2018. Age-related immune response to experimental infection with Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae in goat kids. Res. Vet. Sci. 118: 155-163. Nigussie H., Mekasha Y., Abegaz S., Kebede K. and Pal S.K. 2015. Indigenous Sheep Production System in Eastern Ethiopia: Implications for Genetic Improvement and Sustainable Use. ASRJETS, 11 (1): 136-152 Nourollahi-Fard S.R., Khedri J., Ghashghaei O., Mohammadyari N. and Sharif H. 2016. The prevalence of ovine Eimeria infection in Rudsar, North of Iran, (2011–2012). J. Parasit. Dis. 40: 954–957. Paul T.B., Jesse F.F.A., Chung E.T., Che’Amat A. and Lila M.A.M. 2020. Risk Factors and Severity of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Selected Small Ruminants from Malaysia. Vet. Sci. 7 (4): 208 Platzer B., Prosl H., Cieslicki M. and Joachim A. (2005). Epidemiology of Eimeria infections in an Austrian milking sheep flock and control with diclazuril. Vet. Parasitol. 129 (1-2): 1-9. Rehman T.U., Khan M.N., Sajid M.S., Abbas R.Z., Arshad M., Iqbal Z. and Iqbal A. 2011. Epidemiology of Eimeria and associated risk factors in cattle of district Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan. Parasitol. Res. 108: 1171-1177. Reza K., Saeid R. and Zeinab Y. 2014. Prevalence and pathology of Coccidiosis in goats in southeastern Iran. J. Parasit. Dis. 38(1): 27-31. Russel A. 1991. Body condition scoring of sheep. In: E. Boden (Ed.) Sheep and Goat Practice. pp: 3, Bailliere Tindall, Philadelphia. Sharma D.K., Nimisha A., Ajoy M., Pooja N. and Bhushan S. 2009. Coccidia and gastrointestinal nematode infections in semi-intensively managed Jamunapari goats of the semi-arid region of India. Trop. Subtrop. Agroecosystems. 11(1): 135-139. Sharma D.K., Paul S., Rout P.K., Mandal A., Bhusan S., Sharma N. and Kushwah Y.K. 2017. Caprinecoccidiosis in semi-arid India: Dynamics and factors affecting fecal oocysts count. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res. 4 (1): 52-57. Taylor M.A., Coop R.L. and Wall R.L. 2016. Veterinary Parasitology, 3rd edition, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK. Oxford, UK. pp. 283-290. Thrusfield M. 2018. Veterinary Epidemiology, 4thedition, Oxford, UK, John Willey, and Sons Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ, 07030, USA. pp. 275-292. Toulah F.H. 2007. Prevalence and comparative morphological study of four Eimeria species of sheep in Jeddah area, Saudi Arabia. J. Biol. Sci., 7: 413-416. Urquhart G.M., Armour J., Duncan J.L., Dunn A.M. and Jennings F.W. 1996. Veterinary Parasitology, 2ndedition, USA; Blackwell Publishing, USA. pp. 224- 234. Wang C.R., Xiao J.Y., Chen A.H., Chen J., Wang Y., Gao J.F. and Zhu X.Q. (2010).Prevalence of coccidial infection in sheep and goats in northeastern China. Vet. Parasitol., 174 (3-4): 213-217. Welday K., Urge M. and Abegaz S. 2019. Sheep Production Systems and Breeding Practices for Selected Zones of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Open J. Anim. Sci. 9: 135-150. Yakhchali M. and Golami E. 2008. Eimeria infection (Coccidia: Eimeriidae) in sheep of different age groups in Sanandaj city, Iran. Vet. Arhiv. 78: 57-64. Yakhchali M. and Rezaei A.A. 2010. The prevalence and associated intensity of Eimeria species infection in sheep of Malayer, Iran. Archives of Razi Institute. 65 (1): 27-32. Zajac A.M. and Conboy G.A. 2011. Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, 8th Edition, John Wiley and Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK. pp. 354 .