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Occurrence of Eimeria species in Naturally Infected Domestic Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in North of Karbala Province, Iraq

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 1, 1 - 8, 26.06.2025

Marwa Jawad , Firas Alali , Asaad Alhesnawi , Ali Alshimry

https://doi.org/10.53518/mjavl.1491177

Abstract

Coccidiosis has an economic impact for poultry and livestock industries. The current study examined the prevalence of Eimeria infections in domestic rabbits in musaib city, North of Karbala province. A total of forty-eight faecal samples were taken from several market places located across the city. Individual fresh fecal samples were taken 24 hours prior in containers placed beneath the cages. After being collected, the excrement was moistened, placed in plastic bags, kept, and chilled at 4°C until it was examined. Freshly collected non-sporulated oocysts in each sample were put in Petri dish have 2.5% (W/V) aqueous solution of potassium dichromate. Every faecal sample was collected and then sent to a lab for oocyst detection. The identification of an infection was based on the physical traits. Sporulated oocysts were used to validate the identity of the samples containing Eimeria species, and they also provided morphological identification under a microscope. The prevalence of the population with coccidial illnesses was 34 out of 48 which equal for 70.8% . No significant differences were found between male and female at P≥0.05. Thirty-four rabbit infected with Eimeria species were present and identified from oocyst features. Eimeria stiedae and E. magna were the most prevalent species (25% and 21%), respectively. The results showed that the prevalence and distribution of coccidiosis was high among the rabbit population in musaib city, North of Karbala province. In conclusion, the epidemiological result must be taken into consideration in order to minimize the economic losses caused by coccidiosis.

Keywords

Eimeria Rabbits Prevalence Iraq

Ethical Statement

ETHİCAL STATEMENT Ethics required are approved by the Ethical Committee of college of veterinary medicine/ university of Kerbala under acceptance number- UOK.VET. MI.2023.065.

Supporting Institution

There is no any funding support.

Thanks

The authors would like to thank local markets owners for their help in collecting samples.

References

  • Al-Moula, D.H.I. (2005).Study of some endo and ecto parasites in domestic rabbits in Mosul/Iraq. Iraqi J Vet Sci 19(2), 143-153.10.33899/IJVS.2005.46707
  • Al-Sadi, H. I., & Al-Khafaji, N. J. (2000). Clinical and pathological studies on naturally occurring diseases of rabbits. Iraqi J Vet Sci, 13,309-316.
  • Athanasiou L.V., Tsokana C.N., Doukas D., Kantere M.C., Katsoulos P.D., Papakonstantinou G.I., Katsogiannou E.G., Dedousi A. 2023. Hepatic Coccidiosis in Wild Rabbits in Greece: Parasite Detection on Liver Imprints and the Associated Biochemical Profile. Vet. Sci.,10:248. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10040248
  • Athanasiou, L. V., Tsokana, C. N., Doukas, D., Kantere, M. C., Katsoulos, P. D., Papakonstantinou, G. I., & Dedousi, A. (2023). Hepatic Coccidiosis in Wild Rabbits in Greece: Parasite Detection on Liver Imprints and the Associated Biochemical Profile. Vet. Sci.,10(4), 248.
  • Bachene, M. S., Temim, S., Ainbaziz, H., Bachene, A., & Suo, X. (2018). A vaccination trial with a precocious line of Eimeria magna in Algerian local rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus. Vet Parasitol, 261, 73-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.08.013Get rights and content
  • Basiaga, M., Levytska, V., Kowal, J., & Nosal, P. (2020). Coccidiosis–a problem in backyard rabbitries. Annals parasitol, 66(1). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32199000/
  • Elhendy, A., Kuraa, H., & Nageıb, B. (2018). Pathological and parasitological studies on some Eimeria species in rabbits using light and electron microscope. Assiut Vet. Med. J, 64(157), 81-93. https://doi.org/10.21608/AVMJ.2018.168915
  • Faraj, A. A. (2017). Molecular diagnosis of naturally infection with Eimeria stiedae in domestic rabbits in Baghdad city-Iraq. Young, 50(15), 30.
  • https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/?year=2017&vol=5&issue=3&ArticleId=1974
  • Gökpınar, S., Akdeniz, S., & Akkuş, G. N. (2022). Evcil Tavşanlarda Sindirim Sistemi Parazitlerinin Yaygınlığının Araştırılması. Van Vet. J, 33(2), 52-55. https://doi.org/10.36483/vanvetj.1100361
  • Gökpınar, S., Akdeniz, S., & Akkuş, G. N. (2023). Ankara ve Kırıkkale yöresinde yetiştiriciliği yapılan tavşanlarda Eimeria türlerinin yaygınlığı ve morfolojik teşhisi. Etlik Vet. Mikro. Derg, 34(1), 89-94. https://doi.org/10.35864/evmd.1128877
  • Hamid, P. H., Prastowo, S., & Kristianingrum, Y. P. (2019). Intestinal and hepatic coccidiosis among rabbits in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Vet World, 12 (8): 1256–1260. 10.14202/vetworld.2019.1256-1260
  • Heker, M. M., Nakamura, A. A., Santana, B. N., & Meireles, M. V. (2017). Etiological aspects of Eimeria spp. infection in Brazilian rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) farms. Vet Parasitol: Regional Studies and Reports, 8, 78-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.02.004
  • Indrasanti, D., Indradji, M., Sufiriyanto, S., Samsi, M., Yuwono, E., Nurkhasanah, N., ... & Fauziah, A. U. (2020, July). Prevalensı dan ıdentıfıkası Eimeria sp. pada kelıncı dı kabupaten banyumas. In prosıdıng semınar nasıonal teknologı agrıbısnıs peternakan (STAP) (Vol. 7, pp. 485-492). https://jnp.fapet.unsoed.ac.id/index.php/psv/article/view/468
  • Karaer, Z.(2001). Evcil tavşanlarda koksidiozis. In, Dinçer Ş (Ed): Koksidiozis. Türkiye Parazitoloji Derneği, Yaynn No: 17, İzmir.
  • Khider, A. T., Al-Rubaie, H. M., & Khalil, F. J. (2015). Prevalence of coccidiosis in local breed rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Baghdad province. Al-Qadisiyah J. Vet. Med. Sci, 14(1). https://iraqjournals.com/article_162338_0.html
  • Li, H., Shen, M., Hou, Z., & Yin, X. (2016). Morphology and molecular identification of the Eimeria spp. in domestic rabbits. Pakistan J. Zoo, 48(1). https://www.zsp.com.pk/pdf48/289-291%20(38)%20PJZ-2198-15%2018-9-15.pdf
  • Marhoon, I. A., Mattar, K. T., & Mohammad, F. I. (2018). Parasitic infection in wild rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus. Eurasian J. Analyt. Chem, 13(5), 55. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejac/95252
  • Murshed, M., Mares, M., Aljawdah, H., & Al-Quraishy, S. (2023). A comparison in terms of prevalence, morphological and histopathological changes between Eimeria spp. that infect local rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in some regions of Saudi Arabia. Indian J. Anim. Res, 57(12), 1662-1669. https://doi.org/10.18805/IJAR.BF-1682
  • Nicollas, H., Domingo, C., Ferrer, A., & Waminal, S. (2022). Identification of internal parasites of meat-type rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) through fecalysis in a State College Bulacan, Philippines. Agri. CRI. J, 2(2), 26-34. https://cbsua.edu.ph/journal_articles2_0/identification-of-internal-parasites-of-meat-type-rabbits-oryctolagus-cuniculus-l-through-fecalysis-in-a-state-college-in-bulacan-philippines/
  • Pakandl, M. (2013). Coccidia of rabbit: a review. Folia Parasitolo, 56(3), 153-166. https://doi.org/10.14411/fp.2009.019
  • Pilarczyk, B., Tomza-Marciniak, A., Pilarczyk, R., Januś, E., Stanek, P., Seremak, B., & Sablik, P. (2020). The effect of the sex, age, and breed of farmed rabbits and the choice of management system on the extensity and intensity of Eimeria infection. Vet. World, 13(8), 1654. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2020.1654-1660
  • Rabie, S. A., Abuelwafa, W. A., & Hussein, N. M. (2022). Occurrence of Eimeria species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt. J. Parasit. Dis, 46(3), 811-832. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-022-01494-2
  • Scialfa, E. A., Allende, L., Fariña, F., Quintana, S., Rivero, M. A., Rodriguez, M., & Pane, S. (2021). Eimeria oocyst excretion in naturally infected rabbit in a farm for meat production. Neotrop. Helminth, 15(2),199-209. https://doi.org/10.24039/rnh20211521276
  • Shkromada, O., & Nedzheria, T. (2020). Intensity of invasion in emeriosis of rabbits in different methods of keeping. EUREKA: Health Sci, (5), 107-114. https://doi.org/10.21303/2504-5679.2020.001419
  • Sulaiman, E. G. (2005).Diagnostic study of some intestinal protozoa in domestic rabbits in Mosul area. Iraqi J Vet Sci, 19(2), 123-133.10.33899/IJVS.2005.46703
  • Temim, S., Ainbaziz, H., Bachene, A., & Bachene, M. S. (2019). Prevalence of Rabbit Coccidia in Medea Province, Algeria. World Vet. J, 9(2), 123-128. https://doi.org/10.36380/scil.2019.wvj16
  • Ütük, A. E., Pişkin, F. Ç., Balkaya, İ., & Karakurum, M. Ç. (2015). Molecular detection of Eimeria stiedae in an Angora rabbit. Etlik Vet. Mikro. Derg, 26(2), 41-44. https://doi.org/10.35864/evmd.513378
  • Yin, G., Goraya, M. U., Huang, J., Suo, X., Huang, Z., & Liu, X. (2016). Survey of coccidial infection of rabbits in Sichuan Province, Southwest China. SpringerPlus, 5, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-2586-6
  • Yuan, X., Liu, J., Hu, X., Yang, S., Zhong, S., Yang, T., ... & Li, Y. (2022). Alterations in the jejunal microbiota and fecal metabolite profiles of rabbits infected with Eimeria intestinalis. Parasites & Vectors, 15(1), 231. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-022-05340-5

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 1, 1 - 8, 26.06.2025

Marwa Jawad , Firas Alali , Asaad Alhesnawi , Ali Alshimry

https://doi.org/10.53518/mjavl.1491177

Abstract

References

  • Al-Moula, D.H.I. (2005).Study of some endo and ecto parasites in domestic rabbits in Mosul/Iraq. Iraqi J Vet Sci 19(2), 143-153.10.33899/IJVS.2005.46707
  • Al-Sadi, H. I., & Al-Khafaji, N. J. (2000). Clinical and pathological studies on naturally occurring diseases of rabbits. Iraqi J Vet Sci, 13,309-316.
  • Athanasiou L.V., Tsokana C.N., Doukas D., Kantere M.C., Katsoulos P.D., Papakonstantinou G.I., Katsogiannou E.G., Dedousi A. 2023. Hepatic Coccidiosis in Wild Rabbits in Greece: Parasite Detection on Liver Imprints and the Associated Biochemical Profile. Vet. Sci.,10:248. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10040248
  • Athanasiou, L. V., Tsokana, C. N., Doukas, D., Kantere, M. C., Katsoulos, P. D., Papakonstantinou, G. I., & Dedousi, A. (2023). Hepatic Coccidiosis in Wild Rabbits in Greece: Parasite Detection on Liver Imprints and the Associated Biochemical Profile. Vet. Sci.,10(4), 248.
  • Bachene, M. S., Temim, S., Ainbaziz, H., Bachene, A., & Suo, X. (2018). A vaccination trial with a precocious line of Eimeria magna in Algerian local rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus. Vet Parasitol, 261, 73-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.08.013Get rights and content
  • Basiaga, M., Levytska, V., Kowal, J., & Nosal, P. (2020). Coccidiosis–a problem in backyard rabbitries. Annals parasitol, 66(1). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32199000/
  • Elhendy, A., Kuraa, H., & Nageıb, B. (2018). Pathological and parasitological studies on some Eimeria species in rabbits using light and electron microscope. Assiut Vet. Med. J, 64(157), 81-93. https://doi.org/10.21608/AVMJ.2018.168915
  • Faraj, A. A. (2017). Molecular diagnosis of naturally infection with Eimeria stiedae in domestic rabbits in Baghdad city-Iraq. Young, 50(15), 30.
  • https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/?year=2017&vol=5&issue=3&ArticleId=1974
  • Gökpınar, S., Akdeniz, S., & Akkuş, G. N. (2022). Evcil Tavşanlarda Sindirim Sistemi Parazitlerinin Yaygınlığının Araştırılması. Van Vet. J, 33(2), 52-55. https://doi.org/10.36483/vanvetj.1100361
  • Gökpınar, S., Akdeniz, S., & Akkuş, G. N. (2023). Ankara ve Kırıkkale yöresinde yetiştiriciliği yapılan tavşanlarda Eimeria türlerinin yaygınlığı ve morfolojik teşhisi. Etlik Vet. Mikro. Derg, 34(1), 89-94. https://doi.org/10.35864/evmd.1128877
  • Hamid, P. H., Prastowo, S., & Kristianingrum, Y. P. (2019). Intestinal and hepatic coccidiosis among rabbits in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Vet World, 12 (8): 1256–1260. 10.14202/vetworld.2019.1256-1260
  • Heker, M. M., Nakamura, A. A., Santana, B. N., & Meireles, M. V. (2017). Etiological aspects of Eimeria spp. infection in Brazilian rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) farms. Vet Parasitol: Regional Studies and Reports, 8, 78-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.02.004
  • Indrasanti, D., Indradji, M., Sufiriyanto, S., Samsi, M., Yuwono, E., Nurkhasanah, N., ... & Fauziah, A. U. (2020, July). Prevalensı dan ıdentıfıkası Eimeria sp. pada kelıncı dı kabupaten banyumas. In prosıdıng semınar nasıonal teknologı agrıbısnıs peternakan (STAP) (Vol. 7, pp. 485-492). https://jnp.fapet.unsoed.ac.id/index.php/psv/article/view/468
  • Karaer, Z.(2001). Evcil tavşanlarda koksidiozis. In, Dinçer Ş (Ed): Koksidiozis. Türkiye Parazitoloji Derneği, Yaynn No: 17, İzmir.
  • Khider, A. T., Al-Rubaie, H. M., & Khalil, F. J. (2015). Prevalence of coccidiosis in local breed rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Baghdad province. Al-Qadisiyah J. Vet. Med. Sci, 14(1). https://iraqjournals.com/article_162338_0.html
  • Li, H., Shen, M., Hou, Z., & Yin, X. (2016). Morphology and molecular identification of the Eimeria spp. in domestic rabbits. Pakistan J. Zoo, 48(1). https://www.zsp.com.pk/pdf48/289-291%20(38)%20PJZ-2198-15%2018-9-15.pdf
  • Marhoon, I. A., Mattar, K. T., & Mohammad, F. I. (2018). Parasitic infection in wild rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus. Eurasian J. Analyt. Chem, 13(5), 55. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejac/95252
  • Murshed, M., Mares, M., Aljawdah, H., & Al-Quraishy, S. (2023). A comparison in terms of prevalence, morphological and histopathological changes between Eimeria spp. that infect local rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in some regions of Saudi Arabia. Indian J. Anim. Res, 57(12), 1662-1669. https://doi.org/10.18805/IJAR.BF-1682
  • Nicollas, H., Domingo, C., Ferrer, A., & Waminal, S. (2022). Identification of internal parasites of meat-type rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) through fecalysis in a State College Bulacan, Philippines. Agri. CRI. J, 2(2), 26-34. https://cbsua.edu.ph/journal_articles2_0/identification-of-internal-parasites-of-meat-type-rabbits-oryctolagus-cuniculus-l-through-fecalysis-in-a-state-college-in-bulacan-philippines/
  • Pakandl, M. (2013). Coccidia of rabbit: a review. Folia Parasitolo, 56(3), 153-166. https://doi.org/10.14411/fp.2009.019
  • Pilarczyk, B., Tomza-Marciniak, A., Pilarczyk, R., Januś, E., Stanek, P., Seremak, B., & Sablik, P. (2020). The effect of the sex, age, and breed of farmed rabbits and the choice of management system on the extensity and intensity of Eimeria infection. Vet. World, 13(8), 1654. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2020.1654-1660
  • Rabie, S. A., Abuelwafa, W. A., & Hussein, N. M. (2022). Occurrence of Eimeria species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt. J. Parasit. Dis, 46(3), 811-832. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-022-01494-2
  • Scialfa, E. A., Allende, L., Fariña, F., Quintana, S., Rivero, M. A., Rodriguez, M., & Pane, S. (2021). Eimeria oocyst excretion in naturally infected rabbit in a farm for meat production. Neotrop. Helminth, 15(2),199-209. https://doi.org/10.24039/rnh20211521276
  • Shkromada, O., & Nedzheria, T. (2020). Intensity of invasion in emeriosis of rabbits in different methods of keeping. EUREKA: Health Sci, (5), 107-114. https://doi.org/10.21303/2504-5679.2020.001419
  • Sulaiman, E. G. (2005).Diagnostic study of some intestinal protozoa in domestic rabbits in Mosul area. Iraqi J Vet Sci, 19(2), 123-133.10.33899/IJVS.2005.46703
  • Temim, S., Ainbaziz, H., Bachene, A., & Bachene, M. S. (2019). Prevalence of Rabbit Coccidia in Medea Province, Algeria. World Vet. J, 9(2), 123-128. https://doi.org/10.36380/scil.2019.wvj16
  • Ütük, A. E., Pişkin, F. Ç., Balkaya, İ., & Karakurum, M. Ç. (2015). Molecular detection of Eimeria stiedae in an Angora rabbit. Etlik Vet. Mikro. Derg, 26(2), 41-44. https://doi.org/10.35864/evmd.513378
  • Yin, G., Goraya, M. U., Huang, J., Suo, X., Huang, Z., & Liu, X. (2016). Survey of coccidial infection of rabbits in Sichuan Province, Southwest China. SpringerPlus, 5, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-2586-6
  • Yuan, X., Liu, J., Hu, X., Yang, S., Zhong, S., Yang, T., ... & Li, Y. (2022). Alterations in the jejunal microbiota and fecal metabolite profiles of rabbits infected with Eimeria intestinalis. Parasites & Vectors, 15(1), 231. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-022-05340-5
There are 30 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Parasitology, Veterinary Parasitology
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Marwa Jawad 0000-0003-2927-9220

Firas Alali 0000-0002-3438-6453

Asaad Alhesnawi 0000-0003-4172-581X

Ali Alshimry 0009-0009-0320-1717

Publication Date June 26, 2025
Submission Date May 28, 2024
Acceptance Date December 11, 2024
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 15 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Jawad, M., Alali, F., Alhesnawi, A., Alshimry, A. (2025). Occurrence of Eimeria species in Naturally Infected Domestic Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in North of Karbala Province, Iraq. Manas Journal of Agriculture Veterinary and Life Sciences, 15(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.53518/mjavl.1491177
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