Strategies for anti-coccidial prophylaxis

Witcombe, David M., and Smith, Nicholas C. (2014) Strategies for anti-coccidial prophylaxis. Parasitology, 141 (11). pp. 1379-1389.

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Abstract

Coccidiosis, a serious disease resulting from infection with parasitic protozoa of the genus Eimeria, causes significant economic losses to the poultry industry, where intensive rearing facilitates transmission of infectious oocysts via the fecal/oral route. Current control relies primarily on prophylactic drugs in feed but, whilst cost effective, the rise of drug resistance and public demands for residue-free meat has encouraged development of alternative control strategies. Chickens that recover from infection with Eimeria develop solid immunity that is directed against the early asexual stages of the parasite life cycle. This has allowed development of a number of vaccines that utilize deliberate infection with controlled doses of virulent oocysts or reproductively attenuated lines of Eimeria. The latter are immunogenic but non-pathogenic. The realization that both prophylactic drugs and attenuated vaccines control but do not eradicate infection with Eimeria encouraged development of a vaccine based upon maternal immunity. Laying hens exposed to Eimeria are able to transfer protective antibodies to hatchlings via egg yolks and these antibodies have been used to identify parasite proteins that are conserved across the genus. When delivered maternally, these provide an economical means of preventing coccidiosis, offering immediate protection to newly hatched chicks.

Item ID: 34927
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1469-8161
Keywords: Eimeria, Coccidia, Apicomplexa, vaccines, prophylactic control
Date Deposited: 27 Aug 2014 05:14
FoR Codes: 07 AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCES > 0707 Veterinary Sciences > 070708 Veterinary Parasitology @ 40%
06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0605 Microbiology > 060502 Infectious Agents @ 40%
07 AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCES > 0707 Veterinary Sciences > 070705 Veterinary Immunology @ 20%
SEO Codes: 83 ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 8303 Livestock Raising > 830309 Poultry @ 50%
97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences @ 50%
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