Page 13 - National Poultry Newspaper

Coccidiosis basics
cells lining the intestine. The main signs of in- fection include depressed growth rate, adverse feed conversion efficiency
IT may be difficult to know exactly what came first – the chicken or the coccidia species.
Depending on the coc- cidia strain, the released progeny invade cells lining the intestine on a specific site and multiply within – that ruptures the cells.
via drinking water.
Sick chickens may not
However, it can be said with certainty that the development and expan- sion of poultry flocks has accompanied the surviv- al of all coccidia strains. What is coccidiosis?
and loss of weight.
The course of medica- tion varies from three to five days continuously to achieve desired re- sults.
Coccidiosis is an intes- tinal infection in chick- ens caused by a group of intracellular parasites belonging to the genus eimeria.
This process may be repeated for a few more generations of the coc- cidia, resulting in over- whelming infection and death of the host chick- en.
A post-mortem con- ducted by a professional is often warranted for a definitive diagnosis. Treatment of coccidi- osis
Good sanitation of the poultry house and its en- vironment is paramount to eliminate oocysts.
Among the seven eimeria species known to cause intestinal infec- tions in poultry, four of those cause severe enteri- tis and mortality.
Some of the emerging progeny may differenti- ate into male and female forms resulting in the production of oocysts that are passed in the chicken droppings, and the reproduction cycle continues.
Feed medication with approved anticoccidials is very effective in the prevention and control of infections.
Therefore, coccidiosis refers to seven different intestinal infections, with each infecting a different part of the intestine with some overlap.
Treatment is aimed at the most susceptible sec- ond phase of the life cy- cle of coccidia.
An appropriate coccidi- an immunity program us- ing approved medicated feed is very effective.
Eimeria strains are host specific and their inva- sion of intestinal cells is also site-specific.
Oocysts can survive for long periods in hot and humid environments but not in excessively hot and dry conditions.
Dr Balkar Bains
The eimeria life-cycle. Eimeria causes coccidiosis in chickens, poultry and birds.
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Only a small proportion
of the fly population is visible1
Prevalence and surviv- al of all eimeria strains is closely linked to the environment, density of chicken population and the completion of its two- phase life cycle.
Eimeria reproduction
The relocation of chick- en litter through various means remains a good source of spreading oo- cysts to other farms and poultry houses.
Eimeria reproduction commences in the intes- tinal cells and completes in the chicken droppings voided in the litter.
Following coccidiosis infection in a flock, the surviving chickens de- velop some degree of im- munity to protect against future infections for lim- ited period.
First phase
The protection is only limited to the eimeria strain that caused the in- fection.
The first phase of the reproduction cycle be- gins with the chicken passing a large number of oocysts in its faeces.
There is no cross pro- tection against infection by other eimeria strains. Clinical signs of coc- cidiosis
The environment change from internal to external is essential for the further development of the parasite.
Coccidiosis most com- monly occurs in young chickens but is rarely ob- served in chickens under two weeks of age.
The development of oocysts requires oxygen, humidity and a tempera- ture range about 20-25C.
The clinical signs of coccidiosis in chickens are directly linked to the eimeria strain and the level of infection at any given time.
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The litter in the chicken house is ideal for oocyst survival and its further development.
The exogenous phase is usually complete in approximately three days and oocysts remain infectious for several months in the natural poultry environment.
Eimeria strains that invade and destroy the deeper layers of the in- testinal cells may cause bleeding and mucus pro- duction that is passed in droppings.
Second phase
The affected chickens appear depressed, stop eating feed and drink- ing water, seek isolation, have ruffled feathers and loss of weight.
The second phase of the coccidia reproduction cy- cle begins when a chick- en ingests sporulated oo- cysts from contaminated litter, feed or water.
A significant mortal- ity is often experienced in cases of severe infec- tions.
The gizzard action and various enzymes and bile salts present in the intes- tinal contents break down the outer coating of the oocyst and that releases developing progeny in the lumen of the intestine.
Subclinical coccidi- osis is caused by eimeria strains that do not infect and destroy the deeper
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Signs and symptoms of coccidiosis in chickens and poultry.
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National Poultry Newspaper, February 2022 – Page 13
The escaped progeny from the ruptured cells may infect more cells lining the intestine.
Clinical signs of coc- cidiosis among chickens are not sufficient for a definitive diagnosis, ex- cept where the presence of mucus and blood in the faeces is suggestive of the disease.
Prevention of coccidi- osis
Spread of infection
The most effective treatment of chickens with clinical signs is to administer medication
Approved vaccination administration has also been practiced with some success.
Diagnosis
eat feed but will most likely drink water.
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Always read and follow label directions. 1. Reece, D. Create a “low-fly” zone. Pig & Poulty Marketing, 2014; Sping:18-19.
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