Eimeria spp. in calves from dairy farms in the provence of Parma

Coccidiosis in calves is caused by infection with the intestinal apicomplexan protozoo Eimeria spp. Most authors agree that, of the more than a dozen species, only Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernii are likely responsible for severe clinical disease characterized by haemorrhagic diarrhoea and occasionally a fatal outcome. To a lesser extent, Eimeria alabamensis can also cause clinical disease. However, due to the damage inflicted on the intestinal tissue, the digestive process and overall homeostasis can become severely affected, even with absence of clinical disease with adverse effects on animal welfare and performance. The consequent economic losses for the cattle industry are thus potentially substantial.