Diagnosis of Eimeria arloingi in Tripura’s Goats, India
Jashima Debbarma
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Aizawl-796 015, Mizoram, India.
J. B. Rajesh *
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Aizawl-796 015, Mizoram, India.
H. Lalrinkima
Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Aizawl-796 015, Mizoram, India.
T. C. Tolenkhomba
Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Aizawl-796 015, Mizoram, India.
K. Lalrintluanga
Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Aizawl-796 015, Mizoram, India.
Hitesh Bayan
Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Aizawl-796 015, Mizoram, India.
Kalyan Sarma
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Aizawl-796 015, Mizoram, India.
Elone Lucy
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sanskaram College of Veterinary & Animal Science, Kheri- Kulana Road, Patauda, Haryana 124108, India.
Binipi Debbarma
Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Selesih, Aiawl, Mizoram: 796015, India.
Nitin Kumar
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Aizawl-796 015, Mizoram, India.
Payel Kar
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Aizawl-796 015, Mizoram, India.
Bensia Debbarma
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Sanskaram College of Veterinary & Animal Science, Kheri- Kulana Road, Patauda, Haryana 124108, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Caprine coccidiosis was investigated in goats from Tripura, India, using microscopic and molecular approaches. A total of 120 faecal samples were collected from goats presenting with clinical signs suggestive of coccidiosis and examined between November 2024 and October 2025. The animals were classified into three age groups: 3 to <9 months, 9 months to <2 years, and 2–3 years. Sporulated oocysts were examined using the flotation method, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was used for molecular confirmation. The overall occurrence of caprine coccidiosis was 28% (34/120). District-wise rates were 37.5% in Sepahijala, 22.2% in West Tripura, and 25% in Khowai. The reported sex-wise rates were 18.3% in females and 10% in males. Microscopic examination detected oocysts in 26 samples, whereas PCR produced positive results in 34 samples. Eimeria arloingi was observed more frequently than the other species during microscopic examination. Amplification of the COI target produced a 723 bp amplicon. The findings indicate that combining microscopy with PCR can improve diagnostic confirmation of caprine coccidiosis in the study setting. The observed variation among districts and animal groups also indicates the importance of locally appropriate husbandry, hygiene, and parasite-control practices.
Keywords: Eimeria arloingi, caprine coccidiosis, goats, Tripura, faecal examination, flotation technique, sporulated oocysts, molecular diagnosis, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, polymerase chain reaction