Prevalence of coccidiosis in chicken in sohage governorate

Eimeria sp. is one of the most important parasites that cause very high economic loss in poultry farms in Egypt. It causes a disease called coccidiosis. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of Eimeria species in chicken and detection of its pathological effect within the intestinal mucosa. The present study investigate the prevalence of Eimeria sp. in chicken through fecal examination and the diagnosis was based on direct fecal sample examination (unstained wet mount technique) and concentration techniques, followed by sporulation of unsporulated oocyst for identification of Eimeria spp. and finally studying the pathological effect of this parasite in the intestinal mucosa of infected chicken. The total prevalence rate of Eimeria spp. was (66%). The incidence rate in Broiler chickens was (70%) and in Balady was (58%). The highest percent of infection was at the age of (15-30) day (54.3% in Broiler and 72.4% for Balady), and the disease was more prevalent in winter than in summer. The species that were detected are E.acovullina (the highest prevalence rate) followed by E.tenella, E.necatrix followed by E.mitis (lowest prevelance rate). These results indicate that the coccidiosis is a serious parasitic disease that effect on the poultry production in Egypt and control measures should be put in consideration to overcome this disease. Keyswords: Eimeria prevalencecoccidiosisoocyst.