Intestinal coccidia and coccidioses of the Sahel Goat (Hircus reversus) in Senegal with the description of a new species

Abstract

Eight Eimeria species, of which one of them was new, were found in Sahel goats (Hircus reversus) from Senegal: E. arloingi, E. kocharli, E. alijevi, E. ninakohlyakimovae, E. christenseni, E. hirci, E. caprovina, and Eimeria panguii n. sp. Oocysts of Eimeria panguii n. sp. were ovoid, without a micropylar cap and measured 48.19 ± 0.73 x 32.45 ± 0.97 µm (45-50 x 29-36 µm). The micropyl was small. Oocyst residua were present. Sporocysts were ovoid, 16.86 ± 0.77 x 8.93 ± 0.34 µm (15-18 x 8-10 µm). The Stieda body was absent, whereas sporocyst residua were present. Both sporozoites were sickle-shaped, in an inverted position with each other and overlapped each other from both ends. Experimental transmission of these species to a kid revealed thicknening of the gut epithelial cells, perforation of the intestine mucosa and loss of its microvilli.