Molecular detection of Eimeria species in backyard chickens in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic
Ankara Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi, cilt.73, sa.3, ss.330-340, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 73 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.33988/auvfd.1833836
- Dergi Adı: Ankara Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.330-340
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Backyard chicken, Coccidiosis, Nakhchivan, Nested PCR
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Coccidiosis poses a significant threat to the health and productivity of poultry worldwide. However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive scientific data on the prevalence and species diversity of Eimeria in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Despite the widespread rearing of backyard chickens in the region, no molecular-level research has yet been conducted to identify the circulating Eimeria species, leaving a critical gap in regional epidemiological knowledge. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Eimeria species in backyard chickens in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and to conduct a molecular analysis for the first time to investigate the presence of seven recognized Eimeria species in the study area. A total of 186 chicken faecal samples were collected from 65 backyard poultry farms in 58 locations from April to September of 2024. The study revealed that 48.9% (91/186) of the faecal samples were positive for Eimeria spp., and the mean OPG value was 1790.1. Eimeria positivity was 60% (63/105) in the group older than six months and 34.6% (28/81) the group younger than six months. The highest prevalence was recorded in the autumn (September) at 64.9%, followed by spring (46.4%) and summer (36.7%) months. The following species were detected in the molecular analysis: E. acervulina (83.5%, 76/91), E. maxima (71.4%, 65/91), E. tenella (61.5%, 56/91), E. necatrix (46.1%, 42/91), E. mitis (46.1%, 42/91), E. praecox (41.8%, 38/91), and E. brunetti (16.5%, 15/91). All positive samples exhibited multiple infections involving three to five Eimeria species. The study results revealed that Eimeria species were widespread in the region, suggesting the possibility of subclinical coccidiosis, which is characterized by low to moderate levels of oocyst shedding, despite the absence of acute infections. Since the disease leads to economic losses, further research is needed to develop sustainable prevention and control methods.