Prvelence of Eimeria species in sheep in Sulaimanya province, Iraq

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Eimeria species in Sheep in Sulaimanya province, Iraq-region, between August-2012 ? March 2013. The material of the study is composed of 150 (121 females and 29 males) sheep, randomly samples (67 sheep & 83 lambs) from 9 different districts. The fecal samples consist of 28 (0-6 month-old) lambs, 55 (6-12 month-old) and 67 (?12 month-old) sheep. The fecal samples were taken directly from the rectum The samples were examined under microscope by flotation methods using standard sheather solution. Oocysts of Eimeria sp. were found in 108 (72%) of 150 sheep and they were infected with a total of 11 species. The most common species was E. parva (%52.77) and the least common species was E. granulosa (%14.81) identified. According to the location the highest rate of prevalence in Tasluja and Bakrajo was (%87.5), according to the gender males (%75.86) and according to the age groups 0-6 month-old lambs both females (%95) and males (%87.5) were reported. Among infected sheep the highest rate in females were E. parva (%52.32) and E. pallida (%51.16), and in males E. crandallis (%33.33) was mostly found. In this study 150 sheep were examined, among them %28 was not infected, %6.48 infected with single species of Eimeria, and %67.33 were mix infection, and highest rate of mix infection include 6 Eimeria species. As a result this study was to determine the prevalence of coccidiosis in sheep in Sulaimanya province, Iraq. After all this research suggested that Eimeria infection is common and integrated strategies should be implemented to prevent and control coccidial infection.