Coccidia are very host-specific; that is, only cattle coccidia will cause disease in cattle [1]. Coccidiosis in cattle is associated with bloody diarrhoea, poor growth and sometimes death [2]. Coccidiosis in young calves is caused by infection by protozoan parasites called Eimeria spp. which parasitize the lining of the alimentary tract causing diarrhoea [3]. At least nine species of coccidia have been reported in cattle which include Eimeria subspherica , E. zuernii , E. alabamensis , E. elipsoidalis , E. cylindrica , E. bovis , E. condenses , E. bukidonensis and E. auburnensis . Two species i.e. Eimeria zuernii and Eimeria bovis are more pathogenic and common [4]. Most cases of coccidiosis occur during winter but outbreaks may occur sporadically throughout the year. Bovine coccidiosis occurs most frequently in calves between sixto- twelve months of age. The calves become infected when fed on pastures or dry lots contaminated by the faeces of older cattle or other infected calves [5]. Once calves reach 6 months of age, they have a 100 % infection rate even though 5% or less show clinical signs, while 95% losses may be due to sub clinical Coccidiosis [2]. The highest prevalence of coccidial infection was recorded in calves with age of 12-24 months (62.5%) and the lowest in age of 6-12 months (29.9%) Teketel et al. [6]. The most serious losses are seen in dairy herds where large numbers of calves are kept along with oldesr cattle carriers [7]. Overcrowding, poor sanitation and poor nutrition are contributing factors for coccidiosis [8]. Subclinical infection may lead to retarded growth. The extent of death ranged from 7-20% depends on the age of animal; the younger they are the more severe is the course of the disease, Birile et al. [9]. At present coccidiosis in cattle has neither been given importance in most of the developing countries. Keeping in view the importance of this disease in calves, the project was designed to study the epidemiology of the disease in Lahore District.

In this study seasonal dynamic of coccidiosis in cattle was explored in and around Lahore, Pakistan. The study was carried out in bovine calves at Military Dairy Farm, Government Dairy Farm, Peri-Urban Dairy Farms (Gawala Colonies), Lahore for one year. A total of 2700 rectal faecal samples (10 gm of each) i.e. seventy five random samples from each farm were collected in each month Mundt et al. [10].

Group A: Comprised of calves less than 6 months of age.

Group B: Comprised of calves between 6 months to one year of age.

Group C: Comprised of animals over one year of age.

Twenty five rectal faecal samples were randomly collected on monthly basis from each group.

Seasonal, sex and age wise distribution pattern of the disease was studied by random sampling from cattle farms of three categories during summer (May-August), autumn (September-October), winter (November-February) and spring (March-April). Ten grams faecal samples were collected directly from rectum of the animals by digital stimulation of the anus Mundt et al. [10] Samples were collected in polythene bags which were carefully labeled and brought to the postgraduate Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore for further processing. Samples were examined qualitatively and quantitatively by direct smear method and centrifugal floatation technique, modified McMaster’s oocyst counting technique, micrometry [11].

For speciation of Eimeria species, the faeces were cultured in petri dishes containing 2.5% potassium dichromate solution. The species were identified by using the morphological characters including size, shape, colour, and record of the sporulated time, texture of oocyst wall, presence or absence of micropyle, polar cap) with the aid of taxonomic keys [12].

Seasonal prevalence of coccidiosis was studied after sampling of target population during whole of the year. Data on stock management and stocking densities was also collected. Epidemiological parameters were calculated as described by [13].

Temperature, humidity and rainfall were also collected from the local meteorological station, Lahore and were correlated with prevalence of the disease Figure 1.

Figure 1: Map of Lahore showing study area.

Statistical Analysis

The Statistical Analysis was performed by using a statistical software programme of SPSS text analysis @SPSS 2004 13.0 for windows. Following parameters were determined.

1. Pearson correlation was used to find significant difference between prevalence of coccidiosis with maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity, and rain fall.

2. To find significant difference between months and prevalence of coccidiosis pearson Chi Square technique was used.

3. To find significant difference between seasons and prevalence of coccidiosis pearson Chi Square technique was used.

4. To find significant difference in male and female calves with prevalence of coccidiosis Z-test was used by Minitab software programme.

In the present study, the highest (66.22%) prevalence of coccidiosis was noted during Autumn followed by summer (58.44%), winter (51.77%) whereas the lowest was during spring (38.11%). During study the prevalence of coccidiosis was highest (78.66%) in the month of August. Similar findings were also reported by [14], who collected faecal samples of buffalo-calves from 17 farms Table 1. They reported prevalence of coccidiosis was 43% of 305 samples during March to June, 71% in rainy season (July to September) and 81 percent in winter (October to February).

Table 1: Season wise Prevalence of Coccidiosis in Cattle at Military Dairy Farm, Lahore.

During the present study no mortality was recorded in cattle. The present findings are in accordance with those reported by [5] Table 2. He reported that coccidiosis was prevalent throughout the year, although it did not cause heavy mortality.

Table 2: Age wise Prevalence of Coccidiosis in Cattle at Military Dairy Farm Lahore.

During the present study, the prevalence of coccidiosis was influenced by temperature, humidity and rainfall as also reported by [15].

During the present study the prevalence of coccidiosis was slightly higher (54.88%, 1235/2250) in females as compared to males (52.88%, 238/450). The findings are supported by the fact that pregnancy, lactation, heat reduced disease resistance Table 3. The findings are in accordance with those reported by Teketel et al. [6]. The prevalence was a bit higher in female calves than in male ones Table 4.

Table 3: Prevalence of positive cases of Eimeria Species in cattle at Military Dairy Farm Lahore.

Table 4: Season wise prevalence of Coccidiosis in Cattle at Govt Dairy Farm, Lahore.

During the present study prevalence of coccidiosis was highest (71.55%) in Peri-urban dairy farms (Gawala Colonies) Lahore, and lowest (40.88%) in Government Dairy Farm, Lahore. The difference in the epidemiology status of the coccidiosis reported in the present studies may be due to difference in the management conditions of the farms). In peri urban dairy farms more animals were kept as the capacity of farm is not enough so there was over crowding resulting more coccidiosis occurrence. Prevalence of coccidiosis had no significant effect on pregnancy. The management at peri urban dairy farms was very poor as compared to government dairy farm and military dairy farm. The management of government dairy farm is better than other two farms so prevalence of coccidiosis was lower than other two farms. The stocking pattern observed in three categories of farms showed the highest herd size of 50 animals while the lowest herd size 20 animals was recorded under different managemental system. Stocking density was more in Peri Urban Dairy Farm. Normally 20 Sq. Ft. space is required by each animal (3-4 month’s age) and 40 to 50 sq. ft. space is required by adult animal. In Peri urban dairy farm more animals were kept as the capacity of farm was not enough. Similar finding were reported by McKellar [16] and Constable [17] described that clinical coccidiosis is more prevalent under conditions of poor sanitation, poor nutrition, and overcrowding Table 5. Similar findings were also reported by Berit Bangoura [18], he reported husbandry management and metaphylaxis are essential factor for control of coccidiosis.

Table 5: Age wise prevalence of Coccidiosis in Cattle at Govt Dairy Farm, Lahore.

The resistance of adult animals to coccidiosis as compared to young animals reported in the present study was in accordance with findings that bovine cocidiosis usually affects cattle under one year old, but may be occasionally seen in yearlings and adults Chibunda et al. [19] Table 6 and 7.

Table 6: Sex wise prevalence of Coccidiosis in Cattle at Govt. Dairy Farm, Lahore.

Table 7: Season wise Prevalence of coccidiosis in cattle at Military Dairy Farm Govt. Dairy Farm and Peri-urban Dairy Farms Lahore.

In the present study, prevalence in female calves (17.5%) was similar to that of males (19.8%) and analysis of sex for the occurrence of coccidiosis has showed that there was no statistically significant association (P>0.05) between sex and coccidiosis Table 8. Similar findings were reported by Birile et al. [9].

Table 8: Comparison of Humidity, Temperature & Rainfall with Coccidiosis Prevalence in District Lahore.

In the present study age-wise analysis of results showed that five species were found in all age groups. The most predominant species were E. bovis (27.15%), E. zuernii (20.14%), E. cylindrica (23.97%), E. ellipsoidalis (19.54%), E. subspherica (11.72%). Similar results were reported by Thomas et al. [20] who reported five Eimeria species of cattle i.e. E. bovis, E. zuernii , E. ellipsoidalis , E. alabamansis and E. aubernensis . Manya Priti et al. [21] and Pandit [4] also reported that E. bovi and, E. zuernii were the most prevalent species Table 9.

Table 9: Pearson correlation Used To Compare Humidity, Temperature & Rainfall With Coccidiosis Prevalence in District Lahore.

In the present study, the maximum OPG count observed was 55,000 and the minimum count as 2000. The counts were variable in different age groups and found to be decreasing in adult animals. Our findings are not in accordance with findings of Pilarezyk et al. [22] who carried out studies on coccidiosis in cattle and reported six species of coccidia i.e E. bovis , E. auburnensis , E. zuernii , E. ellipsoidalis , E. subspherica, E. cylindrica. Number of oocysts per gram of feces in calves ranged from 333 to 2237 [23], reported that most of animals examined had low OPG, suggesting that the infections were usually sub-clinical Figure 2.

Figure 2: Sporulated Oocyst of Eimeria bovis .

During the study, the effect of temperature & humidity on developmental stages of Eimeria , was studied. It was noted that moderate temperature and humidity greatly enhanced the development of Eimeria as was also concluded by Murray J. Kennedy [24] Figure 3 and 4.

Figure 3: Over all season wise prevalence of Coccidiosis in Cattle.

Figure 4: Over all season wise Prevalence of coccidiosis in cattle at different Farms of Lahore.

Coccidiosis is widely distributed in cattle of Lahore. Risk factors significantly associated with coccidiosis are age, month, housing and feeding systems, body condition score and season. The control of coccidiosis is possible only with high level of management and following measures are suggested.

• Overcrowding should be avoided.

• Provide good hygienic and managemental conditions in the farm.

• Feeders and wateres should be above the level of the ground.

• Regular use of coccidiostats is the need of the day.

• Animals should be provided well balanced nutritive food and clean water.

• Entry of visitors in the livestock farms should be banned.

• Cemented capacious housing are suggested on the basis of present investigation.

I would like to express and deep sense of obligation to my major supervisor Prof. Dr. Azhar Maqbool, Prof. Dr. Mansoor-ud-Din Ahmad, Prof Dr. Zafar Iqbal Ch, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan and Dr. Muhammad Zahid Ahmad, Kot Khawaja Saeed Teaching Hospital, Lahore and Dr Shabnum Ilyas Ch Deputy Director Livestock Lahore for their keen interest skillful guidance, enlightened views, valuable suggestions, constructive criticism, unfailing patience and an inspiring attitude during my studies, research project and writing of this manuscript.