Status of Eimeria Infection in Dairy Calves in and Around Bishoftu, Central Ethiopia.

Abstract

Globally, eimeriosis is highly important for the health and productivity of calves. Although eimeriosis is one of the major causes of financial loss in cattle farming, there is inadequate evidence on the epidemiological status of infection in Ethiopia. Hence, this study was aimed at determining the prevalence and associated factors, assessing the burden, and identifying Eimeria species in dairy calves. A cross-sectional investigation of calf eimeriosis among dairy farms in Bishoftu, Central Ethiopia, was conducted from November 2023 to April 2024. A total of 384 calves aged from 3 weeks to 18 months were selected using simple random sampling, and fecal samples were collected rectally. Flotation technique was used to detect Eimeria oocysts, and the McMaster method was used to count OPGs. The prevalence of calf eimeriosis was 18.549% (95% CI: 14.90-22.72). For calves < 6 months (OR = 0.28, p < 0.001) and 12-18 months (OR = 0.31, p = 0.009), good body condition (OR = 0.23, p = 0.001), hygienic status (OR = 0.09, p < 0.001), and diarrheic calf status (OR = 3.24, p = 0.002) were significant (p < 0.05) factors for eimeriosis. The mean OPG score of the feces was significantly different among different age groups, fecal consistency groups, and housing systems. Eimeria bovis (28.17%), Eimeria zuernii (18.31%), and Eimeria subspherica (16.90%) were the most prevalent Eimeria species in this study. The prevalence of eimeriosis was high in calves; therefore, comprehensive calf management practices are essential to reduce the disease.