Occurrence of Eimeria species parasites on small-scale commercial chicken farms in Africa and indication of economic profitability

Fornace, K. M. , Clark, E. L., Macdonald, S. E., Namangala, B., Karimuribo, E., Awuni, J. A., Thieme, O., Blake, D. P. and Rushton, J. (2013) Occurrence of Eimeria species parasites on small-scale commercial chicken farms in Africa and indication of economic profitability. PLoS ONE, 8(12), e84254. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084254) (PMID:24391923) (PMCID:PMC3877271)

Abstract

Small-scale commercial poultry production is emerging as an important form of livestock production in Africa, providing sources of income and animal protein to many poor households, yet the occurrence and impact of coccidiosis on this relatively new production system remains unknown. The primary objective of this study was to examine Eimeria parasite occurrence on small-scale commercial poultry farms in Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia. Additionally, farm economic viability was measured by calculating the farm gross margin and enterprise budget. Using these economic measures as global assessments of farm productivity, encompassing the diversity present in regional husbandry systems with a measure of fundamental local relevance, we investigated the detection of specific Eimeria species as indicators of farm profitability. Faecal samples and data on production parameters were collected from small-scale (less than 2,000 birds per batch) intensive broiler and layer farms in peri-urban Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia. All seven Eimeria species recognised to infect the chicken were detected in each country. Furthermore, two of the three genetic variants (operational taxonomic units) identified previously in Australia have been described outside of Australia for the first time. Detection of the most pathogenic Eimeria species associated with decreased farm profitability and may be considered as an indicator of likely farm performance. While a causal link remains to be demonstrated, the presence of highly pathogenic enteric parasites may pose a threat to profitable, sustainable small-scale poultry enterprises in Africa.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This project was funded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (www.fao.com) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/Department for International Development grant BB/H009337/2 (www.bbsrc.ac.uk; www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-international-development).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Fornace, Dr Kimberly
• Authors: Fornace, K. M., Clark, E. L., Macdonald, S. E., Namangala, B., Karimuribo, E., Awuni, J. A., Thieme, O., Blake, D. P., and Rushton, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: PLoS ONE
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• ISSN (Online): 1932-6203
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2013 Fornace et al.
• First Published: First published in PLoS ONE 8(12): e84254
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License