Molecular identification of Eimeria species infection in chickens in surrounding areas of the Red River Delta in Vietnam.

The prevalence of avian coccidiosis in Vietnam has been negligible so far, especially the identification of Eimeria at species level. Therefore, the present study has been conducted to determine the molecular identification of Eimeria species infection on chicken (households and farm chickens) in surrounding areas of the Red River Delta of Vietnam. A total of 72 fecal samples were collected from households and commercial poultry farms (36 each). Oocysts were collected from the microscopically positive samples and DNA was isolated for the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) identification. The results showed that 32 (88.89%) and 29 (80.56%) samples were positive in household chickens and commercial farm chickens, respectively. The infection rate of Eimeria tenella, E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. maxima, E. mitis and E. necatrix were 93.75, 90.63, 84.38, 78.13, 59.38 and 37.50%, respectively in the household chickens. In the case of the commercial farm chickens, the infection rate of E. tenella, E. acervulina, E. maxima, E. brunetti, E. mitis and E. necatrix were 96.55, 89.66, 86.21, 75.86, 48.28 and 31.03%, respectively but E. praecox was not identified. The results indicated that the infection of Eimeria species in this area of Vietnam was prevalent.