Goats were investigated for Balantidium coli infection. Feces and intestinal scrapings from the large intestine were microscopically inspected for the presence of B. coli cysts and trophozoites. The total prevalence was 7.1% (n= 14/ 198). The correlation coefficient (r) between the prevalence of infection and age or sex was recorded. The pathological lesion produced by B.coli was followed at post mortem inspection and histopathology. During examination Eimeria, Giardia and Cryptosporidium sp. were encountered and their prevalences were recorded. Additionally, Isospora (Atoxoplasma) oocysts were likewise seen in the feces of 8 goats (4%). They were thought to be either of another host species or a pseudoparasite since it was not previously seen in goats. To determine the status of this genus, fecal oocysts were inspected morphologically using a light microscope, and molecular analysis of the oocysts was applied to amplify 28S ribosomal RNA (28S rRNA) gene of Isospora sp. The result showed that the morphology of the detected oocysts did not resemble any of the other Isospora species described from ruminants and did not resemble the morphoogy of Isospora described in animals having contact with ruminants. PCR sequence and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the detected species was closely related to Isospora sp. infecting house sparrow (Passer domesticus). Consequently, this goat form of Isospora was considered a coprozoic or spurious parasite foreign to its goat host, which merely passes through the alimentary canal without causing infection, and it contaminated goats’ food through sparrows’ droppings. Thus, goats may act as a disseminator for house sparrow’s Isospora. Key words: Protozoa, Balantidium coli, Isospora, PCR |
