Research Article

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

Number: Advanced Online Publication Early Pub Date: May 25, 2026

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

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.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Parasitology

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

May 25, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

December 1, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 5, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

APA
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, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1833836
AMA
1.Bakhshaliyeva S, Kirman R, Güven E, Gurbanova T, Mammadov İ. Molecular detection of Eimeria species in backyard chickens in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.33988/auvfd.1833836
Chicago
Bakhshaliyeva, Sekine, Rıdvan Kirman, Esin Güven, Turkan Gurbanova, and İsmayıl Mammadov. 2026. “Molecular Detection of Eimeria Species in Backyard Chickens in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1833836.
EndNote
Bakhshaliyeva S, Kirman R, Güven E, Gurbanova T, Mammadov İ (May 1, 2026) Molecular detection of Eimeria species in backyard chickens in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi Advanced Online Publication
IEEE
[1]S. Bakhshaliyeva, R. Kirman, E. Güven, T. Gurbanova, and İ. Mammadov, “Molecular detection of Eimeria species in backyard chickens in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic”, Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg, no. Advanced Online Publication, May 2026, doi: 10.33988/auvfd.1833836.
ISNAD
Bakhshaliyeva, Sekine - Kirman, Rıdvan - Güven, Esin - Gurbanova, Turkan - Mammadov, İsmayıl. “Molecular Detection of Eimeria Species in Backyard Chickens in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. Advanced Online Publication (May 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1833836.
JAMA
1.Bakhshaliyeva S, Kirman R, Güven E, Gurbanova T, Mammadov İ. Molecular detection of Eimeria species in backyard chickens in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1833836.
MLA
Bakhshaliyeva, Sekine, et al. “Molecular Detection of Eimeria Species in Backyard Chickens in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, no. Advanced Online Publication, May 2026, doi:10.33988/auvfd.1833836.
Vancouver
1.Sekine Bakhshaliyeva, Rıdvan Kirman, Esin Güven, Turkan Gurbanova, İsmayıl Mammadov. Molecular detection of Eimeria species in backyard chickens in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026 May 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.33988/auvfd.1833836