Poultry Coccidiosis in and Around Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia: A Study Based on Coprological and Postmortem Findings.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ethiopia has a large chicken population, but its economic contribution is limited by disease challenges, especially coccidiosis. Despite coccidiosis's economic and health impacts, there is a notable gap in detailed knowledge regarding the predominant Eimeria species, associated intestinal lesions, and distribution across production settings in and around Arba Minch. This lack of comprehensive epidemiological and pathological facts is paramount to develop effective, evidence-based prevention and control strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2023 and April 2024 in and around Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia, to estimate coccidiosis prevalence, identify Eimeria species, and assess associated risk factors for two exotic chicken breeds (Sasso T44 and Bovans Brown). The study also involved fecal flotation techniques, postmortem examination of chickens' intestines for gross lesions, and mucosal scraping to determine the predilection site of Eimeria species and identification of Eimeria (E.) species. RESULTS: A total of 1004 examined chickens, 219 (21.81%) harbored different Eimeria species. In the current study, statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the clinical status of the chickens, anticoccidial provision as prophylaxis, litter moisture, and water source. In this study, five species of Eimeria were identified: Eimeria tenella, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria brunetti, and Eimeria acervulina with proportions of 37.44%, 18.72%, 16.44%, 15.53%, and 11.87%, respectively. E. tenella was the predominant species in the study area. Postmortem examination was carried out on 24 birds, out of which 19 (79.17%) were positive for coccidiosis by mucosal scraping examination, and pathological changes/lesions were observed on different parts of the small intestine and cecum. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that coccidiosis is an important disease of poultry in the study area and strict sanitary and preventive measures needed to be implemented to reduce the loss due to poultry coccidiosis.