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Journals / Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Volume: 73 Issue: 3

Molecular detection of Eimeria species in backyard chickens in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

Sekine Bakhshaliyeva(Nakhchivan State University, Ministry Science and Education of Azerbaijan Republic, Institute of Bioresources)0009-0005-8103-9568
Rıdvan Kirman(Atatürk Üniversitesi)0000-0001-5437-089X
Esin Güven(ATATURK UNIVERSITY)0000-0001-7067-8819
Turkan Gurbanova(Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan Republic, Institute of Zoology)0000-0002-5923-5600
İsmayıl Mammadov(Nakhchivan State University, Ministry Science and Education of Azerbaijan Republic, Institute of Bioresources, Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan)0009-0005-4796-1882
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-07-01
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Since the disease leads to economic losses, further research is needed to develop sustainable prevention and control methods.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Coccidiosis poses a significant threat to the health and productivity of poultry worldwide.
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Key Findings & Data:A total of 186 chicken faecal samples were collected from 65 backyard poultry farms in 58 locations from April to September of 2024.
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Conclusion & Impact:Since the disease leads to economic losses, further research is needed to develop sustainable prevention and control methods.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:2024 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Backyard chicken · Coccidiosis · Nakhchivan

Abstract

Coccidiosis poses a significant threat to the health and productivity of poultry worldwide. However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive scientific data on the prevalence and species diversity of Eimeria in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Despite the widespread rearing of backyard chickens in the region, no molecular-level research has yet been conducted to identify the circulating Eimeria species, leaving a critical gap in regional epidemiological knowledge. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Eimeria species in backyard chickens in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and to conduct a molecular analysis for the first time to investigate the presence of seven recognized Eimeria species in the study area. A total of 186 chicken faecal samples were collected from 65 backyard poultry farms in 58 locations from April to September of 2024. The study revealed that 48.9% (91/186) of the faecal samples were positive for Eimeria spp., and the mean OPG value was 1790.1. Eimeria positivity was 60% (63/105) in the group older than six months and 34.6% (28/81) the group younger than six months. The highest prevalence was recorded in the autumn (September) at 64.9%, followed by spring (46.4%) and summer (36.7%) months. The following species were detected in the molecular analysis: E. acervulina (83.5%, 76/91), E. maxima (71.4%, 65/91), E. tenella (61.5%, 56/91), E. necatrix (46.1%, 42/91), E. mitis (46.1%, 42/91), E. praecox (41.8%, 38/91), and E. brunetti (16.5%, 15/91). All positive samples exhibited multiple infections involving three to five Eimeria species. The study results revealed that Eimeria species were widespread in the region, suggesting the possibility of subclinical coccidiosis, which is characterized by low to moderate levels of oocyst shedding, despite the absence of acute infections. Since the disease leads to economic losses, further research is needed to develop sustainable prevention and control methods.

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Cite This Article

Bakhshaliyeva, S., Kirman, R., Güven, E., Gurbanova, T., Mammadov, İ. (2026). Molecular detection of Eimeria species in backyard chickens in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, Volume: 73 Issue: 3. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1833836

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