FREQUENCY OF SPECIES OF THE GENUS Eimeria IN NATURALLY INFECTED CATTLE AND SHEEP OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL STATE, BRAZIL.

Coccidiosis is an economically important disease in livestock, because the parasite invades and destroys the intestinal epithelial of their host, causing clinical manifestations that vary from asymptomatic to severe diarrhea with blood and gut lining tissue in the feces and also loss of appetite, weight loss or reduced weight gain, resulting in potentially long lasting effects, mainly in younger animals. The aim of this cross-sectional observational study was to determine the frequency Eimeria spp. located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Samples were obtained from 6 different cities. The samples were obtained rectally. The 122 feces samples analyzed by the Centrifugal-flotation technique were positive for, at least, one Eimeria species. It was observed the presence of three species pathogenic in single infection by cattle: Eimeria bovis (34.1%), Eimeria zuernii (1.1%) and Eimeria alabamensis (3.3%). In sheep, pathogenic species were identified in single infection: Eimeria ovinoidalis (38.7%). It is concluded that there is infection by coccidia of the genus Eimeria in Rio Grande do Sul and prophylactic measures should be taken to minimize the effects caused by this parasite. PalavrasChave: Coccidiose. Oocistos. Patogênica.