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Epidemiological survey and risk factor analysis on Eimeria infections in calves and young cattle up to 1 year old in Colombia

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Abstract

A large-scale cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted to evaluate prevalence, species diversity, and associated risk factors of Eimeria infections in 55 cattle farms across seven states of Colombia, including subtropical and tropical regions. In total, 1333 fecal samples from young animals (< 1 year of age) were examined at a single sampling date from August 2016 to December 2016. Flotation and McMaster techniques were conducted for parasitological investigation. Excreted Eimeria oocysts were allowed to sporulate in vitro and thereafter identified to species level based on morphological and morphometric characteristics. The overall Eimeria prevalence was 75.5% (1006/1333), with no difference observed between age categories. In total, 13 different Eimeria species were identified. The most prevalent species was E. bovis (33.5%), followed by E. auburnensis (12.5%) and E. zuernii (11.9%). Analysis of extrinsic associated risk factors revealed the floor type, feeding system, watering system, and herd size as significant (p < 0.05) risk factors for Eimeria spp. infections. Based on these data, it can be assumed that bovine coccidiosis infections occur ubiquitously in the country and might play an important role especially in its subclinical form by affecting production parameters in conventional cattle management systems.

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Acknowledgments

Authors wish to acknowledge to Dr. Nicolas Martinez (University of Córdoba, Colombia), Dr. Agustín Góngora (Unillanos, Colombia), Dr. Arlex Rodríguez (Nacional University of Colombia), Dr. Laura Hortua (UPTC, Colombia) and Dr. Genaro Contreras which helped and coordinated sampling in different Colombian states. We also extend our gratitude to all staff members of the Special Veterinary Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Agrarian Sciences of the University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia, which helped with processing of samples. And last, to all cattle farm owners willing to collaborate with this epidemiological study. Thanks to the Strategy for supporting research groups in the process of consolidation 2018-2019, CODI, Universidad de Antioquia.

Funding

This study was exclusively funded by the Special Veterinary Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Agrarian Sciences of the University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia, and the Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Justus Liebig University (JLU) Giessen, Giessen, Germany.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Group CIBAV, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia

    S. Lopez-Osorio, D. Villar & J. J. Chaparro-Gutierrez

  2. Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany

    S. Lopez-Osorio, K. Failing, A. Taubert & C. Hermosilla

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  1. S. Lopez-Osorio
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  2. D. Villar
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  3. K. Failing
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  4. A. Taubert
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  5. C. Hermosilla
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  6. J. J. Chaparro-Gutierrez
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Contributions

SL, JC, and DV designed, planed, and coordinated study. SL carried out the sampling and processing of the samples; SL, DV, JC, CH, and AT drafted and edited the manuscript. FK carried out the statistical analysis of the data. All authors have read and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to S. Lopez-Osorio.

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Lopez-Osorio, S., Villar, D., Failing, K. et al. Epidemiological survey and risk factor analysis on Eimeria infections in calves and young cattle up to 1 year old in Colombia. Parasitol Res 119, 255–266 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-019-06481-w

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