Contact

Markets

Coccidiosis: Causes, Consequences and Control Mesures of Eimeria Infection in Poultry Farming

Coccidiosis management is a major economic issue for the poultry industry. In addition to the economic losses associated with underperformance in the context of coccidian challenge, coccidiosis is also a gateway for other opportunistic infections.

Eimeria: The Parasite Causing Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by a protozoan microorganism (genus Eimeria). Eimeria form spores (oocysts) according to a defined life cycle “using” the epithelial cells of the intestine. These oocysts are then excreted with the feces. The infection occurs by a high intake of oocysts in breeding.

Type of Coccidiosis 

From the rearing environment (feces, water, litter), the Eimeria genus parasites infect the epithelial cells and multiply within it, resulting in gut damages: inflammation, hemorrhagic diarrhea, or even clostridiosis and necrotic enteritis (Collier et al., 2007).
 
There are different forms of coccidiosis : 
  • Chronic/subclinical : without external manifestation, with a more or less important impact on performance, intestinal lesions
  • Acute : Reduction in consumption, hemorrhagic diarrhea and mortality
Coccidiosis is a gateway to necrotic enteritis (eg Clostridium…).

Assessment of Prevalence and Severity of Coccidiosis

Did you know? To determine the pathogenicity of coccidial species, Reid & Johnson (1970) have established a scoring scale. After autopsy four sections of the intestine (upper, middle, lower and ceca) are graded on a 0 to 4 scale for the 6 species of Eimeria, with a description of the pathologic changes for each rate. 
 
Today this scoring scale is the international scientific reference to assess the impact of Eimeria species on the digestive system of poultry. Three species of Eimeria (acervulinamaximatenella) are routinely studied.

Financial Impact of Coccidiosis

While the cost of the impact of coccidiosis alone can be limited, the cost of associated infections can be very significant. The cost impact of a coccidiosis per animal is limited (0.21€/bird), but the necrotic enteritis from the associated infections is a major financial issue (1€/bird) (Jones et al., 2016). 

Losses due to four controlled and uncontrolled production diseases in broiler flocks (Jones et al., 2016)

Control Measures Against Coccidiosis

Today the approaches to constrain coccidiosis mostly include anticoccidial chemicals, ionophores or vaccines (Chapman et al., 2010) as well as specific disinfection protocols. Nevertheless, the apparition of drug resistances, society demand for residue-free food and the prophylactic use of anticoccidial chemicals has been discussed, supervised or regulated. These societal and technological questions have led to the development of alternative solutions.

Contact us to learn more about CCPA's solutions to help reduce the negative impact of coccidiosis on poultry.

Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by a protozoan microorganism (genus Eimeria). Eimeria form spores (oocysts) according to a defined life cycle “using” the epithelial cells of the intestine. These oocysts are then excreted with the feces. The infection occurs by a high intake of oocysts in breeding
News

[Webinar] Observatory of Global Food Trends 2024: we take stock!

18 March 2024

The changing expectations and food purchasing practices of consumers around the world are having a growing influence on the transformation...

CCPA partner of the Poultry Research Days 2024

13 March 2024

The CCPA Group teams are delighted to welcome you to the 15th Poultry Research Days (JRA) from 20 to 21 March 2024. This will be an...

[White paper] Nutrition, phytogenic and digital expertise for more sustainable and profitable dairy production

08 March 2024

The combination of formulating optimal rations, the application of natural feed solutions and the use of digital tools helps dairy...

View all news