Diagnosis of Eimeria arloingi in Tripura’s Goats, India

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.