Search

The present study used a PCR approach to characterize prevalence of coccidial species in fecal samples obtained from 40 individual Midwestern turkey flocks to characterize distribution of species in commercial flocks. Each sample was screened for six prominent Eimeriaspecies using species-specific primers and were supplemented with a primary nested-PCR approach for amplification of mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit gene I where initial sample DNA concentrations were low. All samples were positive for at least one species of Eimeria, while most presented 2 (20/40) or 3 (14/40) species in total. Prevalence across farms was primarily dominated by E. meleagrimitis(97.50%), E. adenoides(95%), and E. gallopavonis(40%). Of the samples positive for E. adenoidesand E. meleagrimitis, almost half (17/40) contained additional species. Data presented here offer insight into Eimeriaspecies currently challenging the Midwestern U.S. turkey industry and potential need to evaluate flocks for species prior to implementing vaccination programs.