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Mramba RP, Mwantambo PA. The impact of management practices on the disease and mortality rates of broilers and layers kept by small-scale farmers in Dodoma urban district, Tanzania. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29624. [PMID: 38655291 PMCID: PMC11035043 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The demand for chicken products in Tanzania has increased due to population growth and rising incomes. As a result, the production of broilers and layers has been promoted to fill the gap due to their high productivity. However, exotic breeds of chicken are susceptible to diseases, thus requiring good disease management practices. The current study aimed to increase production of exotic breeds of chicken in the Dodoma region, which is growing rapidly, by identifying management factors associated with disease and chicken mortality. One hundred and four households that keep broilers or layers were selected randomly from the Dodoma urban district. The households were interviewed to gather information about chicken diseases, mortality, and management practices. The proportion of sick and dead chickens per farm was determined and used in beta regression to test its association with management practices and chicken breed. The proportion of sick chickens in a flock was low when stocking density was low and in large households, but it was higher when the farmer lacked knowledge of disease management. Further, mortality rates were high when farmers lacked disease knowledge and cleaning frequency was low, and low when farmers had extensive experience in chicken production. Improvement of extension services and education programmes for poultry farmers on good disease management practices is necessary to increase the production of layers and broilers in the region.
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Sharma MK, Kim WK. Coccidiosis in Egg-Laying Hens and Potential Nutritional Strategies to Modulate Performance, Gut Health, and Immune Response. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1015. [PMID: 38612254 PMCID: PMC11010854 DOI: 10.3390/ani14071015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Avian coccidiosis, despite advancements in management, nutrition, genetics, and immunology, still remains the most impactful disease, imposing substantial economic losses to the poultry industry. Coccidiosis may strike any avian species, and it may be mild to severe, depending on the pathogenicity of Eimeria spp. and the number of oocysts ingested by the bird. Unlike broilers, low emphasis has been given to laying hens. Coccidiosis in laying hens damages the gastrointestinal tract and causes physiological changes, including oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and inflammatory changes, leading to reduced feed intake and a drastic drop in egg production. Several countries around the world have large numbers of hens raised in cage-free/free-range facilities, and coccidiosis has already become one of the many problems that producers have to face in the future. However, limited research has been conducted on egg-laying hens, and our understanding of the physiological changes following coccidiosis in hens relies heavily on studies conducted on broilers. The aim of this review is to summarize the effect of coccidiosis in laying hens to an extent and correlate it with the physiological changes that occur in broilers following coccidiosis. Additionally, this review tries to explore the nutritional strategies successfully used in broilers to mitigate the negative effects of coccidiosis in improving the gut health and performance of broilers and if they can be used in laying hens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Woo Kyun Kim
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
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3
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Sharma MK, Liu G, White DL, Kim WK. Graded levels of Eimeria infection linearly reduced the growth performance, altered the intestinal health, and delayed the onset of egg production of Hy-Line W-36 laying hens when infected at the prelay stage. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103174. [PMID: 37931397 PMCID: PMC10654243 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this experiment was to investigate how different levels of Eimeria infection affect the performance, intestinal health, oxidative status, and egg production of Hy-Line W-36 pullets and laying hens. Three hundred and sixty Hy-Line W-36 pullets, aged 15 wk, were randomly distributed into 5 treatment groups, each comprising 6 replicates and a nonchallenged control. At 15 wk, pullets were inoculated with different levels of mixed Eimeria species as high-dose, medium-high, medium-low, and low-dose treatments. The growth performance and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were measured from 0- to 18-days postinoculation (DPI), whereas hen day egg production (HDEP) was recorded from wk 19. The markers of gastrointestinal health and oxidative status were measured at 6 DPI, 14 DPI, and 23 wk of age. The findings revealed a significant linear reduction in growth performance in response to increased Eimeria challenge dosage on 6 and 14 DPI (P < 0.0001, P-L < 0.0001). An interaction between the graded level of Eimeria infection and DPI was observed for ADFI. The challenged pullets showed a reduction in ADFI starting at 4 DPI, which persisted until 14 DPI, when ADFI recovered back to normal. The most significant drop in feed intake was observed in 6 DPI in all the Eimeria-infected groups. The markers of gastrointestinal health (gastrointestinal permeability and tight junction proteins) were upregulated in challenged pullets because of infection, whereas the relative mRNA expression of key nutrient transporters was downregulated following infection on 6 and 14 DPI (P < 0.05). As a result of an infection on 6 DPI, the oxidative equilibrium was shifted toward the oxidative stress, and at the same time, upregulation of proinflammatory and inflammatory cytokines was observed (P < 0.05). An interaction between the Eimeria challenge dosage and bird age was observed for HDEP (P = 0.0427). The pullets infected with Eimeria started to lay eggs later than the Control birds. However, the HDEP of the challenged groups became similar to Control only at wk 22, 3 wk after laying eggs. In conclusion, coccidiosis reduced growth performance, altered gastrointestinal health, induced oxidative stress, and delayed egg production when infected at the prelay stage of pullets and negatively impacted the laying hens' overall performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan K Sharma
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Guanchen Liu
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Dima L White
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Woo K Kim
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
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4
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Flores RA, Nguyen BT, Cammayo PLT, Võ TC, Naw H, Kim S, Kim WH, Na BK, Min W. Epidemiological investigation and drug resistance of Eimeria species in Korean chicken farms. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:277. [PMID: 35836230 PMCID: PMC9284840 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03369-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coccidiosis is a poultry disease that occurs worldwide and is caused by Eimeria species. The infection is associated with reduced feed efficiency, body weight gain, and egg production. This study aimed to investigate the current status of coccidiosis and anticoccidial resistance to anticoccidial drugs used as part of control strategies for this disease in Korean chicken farms. Results An overall prevalence of 75% (291/388) was found. Positive farms contained several Eimeria species (mean = 4.2). Of the positive samples, E. acervulina (98.6%), E. maxima (84.8%), and E. tenella (82.8%) were the most prevalent species. Compared with cage-fed chickens, broilers and native chickens reared in free-range management were more at risk of acquiring an Eimeria infection. Sensitivities to six anticoccidial drugs (clopidol, diclazuril, maduramycin, monensin, salinomycin, and toltrazuril) were tested using nine field samples. Compared with untreated healthy control chickens, the body weight gains of infected chickens and treated/infected chickens were significantly reduced in all groups. Fecal oocyst shedding was significantly reduced in four clopidol-treated/infected groups, three diclazuril-treated/infected groups, two toltrazuril-treated/infected groups, one monensin-treated/infected group, and one salinomycin-treated/infected group, compared with the respective untreated/infected control groups. Intestinal lesion scores were also reduced in three clopidol-treated/infected groups, one monensin-treated/infected group, and one toltrazuril-treated/infected group. However, an overall assessment using the anticoccidial index, percent optimum anticoccidial activity, relative oocyst production, and reduced lesion score index found that all field samples had strong resistance to all tested anticoccidial drugs. Conclusion The results of this large-scale epidemiological investigation and anticoccidial sensitivity testing showed a high prevalence of coccidiosis and the presence of severe drug resistant Eimeria species in the field. These findings will be useful for optimizing the control of coccidiosis in the poultry industry. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-022-03369-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rochelle A Flores
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Animal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Binh T Nguyen
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Animal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Paula Leona T Cammayo
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Animal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Tuấn Cường Võ
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Department of Convergence Medical Science, and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Haung Naw
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Department of Convergence Medical Science, and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Animal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo H Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Animal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung-Kuk Na
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Department of Convergence Medical Science, and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Wongi Min
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Animal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.
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Andreopoulou M, Chaligiannis I, Sotiraki S, Daugschies A, Bangoura B. Prevalence and molecular detection of Eimeria species in different types of poultry in Greece and associated risk factors. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2051-2063. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07525-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Prevalence of Eimeria parasites in the Hubei and Henan provinces of China. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:655-663. [PMID: 33409626 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-07010-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Coccidiosis is an intestinal parasitic disease that causes huge economic losses in the poultry industry globally. Henan and Hubei, as important poultry production provinces in China, have great pressure for the prevention and control of chicken coccidiosis. In order to obtain information on the local prevalence of Eimeria species, we used an internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequence of ribosomal DNA to identify the species from 318 fresh fecal samples. The fecal samples and the data relating to farm information were collected from 137 farms in Hubei and Henan provinces. As shown by genus-specific PCR results, the positivity rate of Eimeria was 97.17% (309/318), and the most common species were Eimeria mitis (66.67%), E. tenella (46.86%), and E. necatrix (41.51%). Then, we analyzed the correlation between the background information of each sample and the PCR identification results, which showed that indigenous farms in Henan province were at the greatest risk of harboring highly pathogenic Eimeria species and a larger proportion of such farms were positive for E. necatrix, the most pathogenic species. The results of this study showed that chicken coccidia was widespread, which provides important insights into the control of chicken coccidiosis in this region.
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Debbou-Iouknane N, Benbarek H, Ayad A. Prevalence and aetiology of coccidiosis in broiler chickens in Bejaia province, Algeria. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 85:e1-e6. [PMID: 30326718 PMCID: PMC6324084 DOI: 10.4102/ojvr.v85i1.1590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of coccidiosis was determined and Eimeria species were identified in farms at different locations in the Bejaia region, Algeria. The study was conducted from February to December 2016. Unvaccinated birds were selected randomly. Samples from litter and faeces were collected randomly (147 and 109, respectively). Necropsy and parasitological examinations were carried out using standard methods. Of the samples examined, 93 out of the 147 litter samples and 78 out of the 109 intestinal content samples were infected with Eimeria oocysts (63.26% and 71.55%, respectively). Mixed infections with Eimeria spp. were observed in some of the positive farms, with an overall prevalence of 54.28%. Five species of Eimeria (viz. E. acervulina, E. tenella, E. maxima, E. brunetti and E. mitis) were identified with different indices. Eimeria acervulina followed by E. tenella were the predominant species infecting chickens at the farms visited (32.05% and 26.92%, respectively). Statistically, the most prevalent Eimeria spp. was E. Acervulina (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated that coccidiosis is an omnipresent parasitic intestinal disease. It could strongly decrease production performance in broiler chickens.
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8
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Hiob L, Koethe M, Schares G, Goroll T, Daugschies A, Bangoura B. Experimental Toxoplasma gondii and Eimeria tenella co-infection in chickens. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:3189-3203. [PMID: 28983740 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5636-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The widespread apicomplexan parasites Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Eimeria tenella (E. tenella) are important pathogens with high prevalence in poultry. The aim of our study was the investigation of mutual influences in co-infected chickens, focusing on immune response and course of infection. Two separate trials were performed using in total 96 1-day-old chickens, divided into four study groups: group NC (negative control, uninfected), group PC-T (oral or intramuscular infection with T. gondii oocysts (trial 1) or tachyzoites (trial 2), respectively), group PC-E (oral infection with E. tenella (trial 1) or E. tenella and Eimeria acervulina (trial 2)), and group TE (co-infection). T. gondii and Eimeria infections were validated by different parameters, and cytokine expression in the gut and spleen was investigated. T. gondii-specific antibodies were detected earliest 4 days post infection (p.i.) by immunoblot and direct DNA detection was possible in 22.1% of all tissue samples from infected chickens. Eimeria spp. merogony seemed to be enhanced by co-infection with T. gondii, interestingly without marked differences in oocyst excretion between co-infected and Eimeria spp. mono-infected chickens. An increase of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Th1- (IFN-γ, IL-12, TNF-α) and Th2-related cytokines (IL-10) mainly in groups PC-E and TE was observed, however, without statistically significant differences between co-infection and single infection with Eimeria. In conclusion, most of the measurable immune response could be attributed to Eimeria infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on co-infection experiments of T. gondii with Eimeria spp. in chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lysanne Hiob
- Institute of Parasitology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, University Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 35, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - M Koethe
- Institute of Food Hygiene, Centre for Veterinary Public Health, University Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - G Schares
- Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - T Goroll
- Institute of Parasitology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, University Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 35, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - A Daugschies
- Institute of Parasitology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, University Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 35, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - B Bangoura
- Institute of Parasitology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, University Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 35, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wyoming, 1174 Snowy Range Road, Laramie, WY, 82070, USA
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9
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Chengat Prakashbabu B, Thenmozhi V, Limon G, Kundu K, Kumar S, Garg R, Clark EL, Srinivasa Rao ASR, Raj DG, Raman M, Banerjee PS, Tomley FM, Guitian J, Blake DP. Eimeria species occurrence varies between geographic regions and poultry production systems and may influence parasite genetic diversity. Vet Parasitol 2016; 233:62-72. [PMID: 28043390 PMCID: PMC5239766 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Multivariate analysis revealed comparable poultry clusters in north and south India. Eimeria species occurrence varied between system clusters. E. tenella occurrence across systems may underpin region-specific genetic diversity. E. necatrix was found to be more common in north than south India.
Coccidiosis is one of the biggest challenges faced by the global poultry industry. Recent studies have highlighted the ubiquitous distribution of all Eimeria species which can cause this disease in chickens, but intriguingly revealed a regional divide in genetic diversity and population structure for at least one species, Eimeria tenella. The drivers associated with such distinct geographic variation are unclear, but may impact on the occurrence and extent of resistance to anticoccidial drugs and future subunit vaccines. India is one of the largest poultry producers in the world and includes a transition between E. tenella populations defined by high and low genetic diversity. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with the prevalence of Eimeria species defined by high and low pathogenicity in northern and southern states of India, and seek to understand factors which vary between the regions as possible drivers for differential genetic variation. Faecal samples and data relating to farm characteristics and management were collected from 107 farms from northern India and 133 farms from southern India. Faecal samples were analysed using microscopy and PCR to identify Eimeria occurrence. Multiple correspondence analysis was applied to transform correlated putative risk factors into a smaller number of synthetic uncorrelated factors. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify poultry farm typologies, revealing three distinct clusters in the studied regions. The association between clusters and presence of Eimeria species was assessed by logistic regression. The study found that large-scale broiler farms in the north were at greatest risk of harbouring any Eimeria species and a larger proportion of such farms were positive for E. necatrix, the most pathogenic species. Comparison revealed a more even distribution for E. tenella across production systems in south India, but with a lower overall occurrence. Such a polarised region- and system-specific distribution may contribute to the different levels of genetic diversity observed previously in India and may influence parasite population structure across much of Asia and Africa. The findings of the study can be used to prioritise target farms to launch and optimise appropriate anticoccidial strategies for long-term control.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Chengat Prakashbabu
- Department of Production and Population Health, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - V Thenmozhi
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, India
| | - G Limon
- Department of Production and Population Health, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - K Kundu
- Division of Parasitology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - S Kumar
- Division of Parasitology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - R Garg
- Division of Parasitology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - E L Clark
- Department of Pathology and Pathogen Biology, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, UK
| | | | - D G Raj
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, India
| | - M Raman
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, India
| | - P S Banerjee
- Division of Parasitology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - F M Tomley
- Department of Pathology and Pathogen Biology, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - J Guitian
- Department of Production and Population Health, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - D P Blake
- Department of Pathology and Pathogen Biology, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, UK.
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Lawal JR, Jajere SM, Ibrahim UI, Geidam YA, Gulani IA, Musa G, Ibekwe BU. Prevalence of coccidiosis among village and exotic breed of chickens in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Vet World 2016; 9:653-9. [PMID: 27397991 PMCID: PMC4937059 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.653-659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Coccidiosis is an important enteric parasitic disease of poultry associated with significant economic losses to poultry farmers worldwide. This survey was conducted from June 2014 through July 2015 with the main goal of investigating the prevalence and associated risk factors of coccidiosis among village and exotic breeds of chickens in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 600 fecal samples from live and slaughtered birds comprising 284 young, 141, growers and 175 adult birds; 379 male and 221 female birds; 450 exotic and 150 local breeds of birds were randomly collected either as bird’s fresh droppings or cutting open an eviscerated intestine of slaughtered birds, while noting their age, sex, and breeds. Samples were analyzed using standard parasitological methods and techniques. Results: An overall prevalence rate of 31.8% (95% confidence interval: 28.07-35.52) was obtained. Higher prevalence rates were recorded in growing birds 58.9% (50.78-67.02), female birds 35.3% (29.00-41.60), exotic birds 42.4% (37.83-46.97), and broiler birds 68.7% (61.28-76.12). Similarly, higher infection rates were also observed among birds sampled from Mairi ward 66.7% (56.03-77.37), intensive management system 46.5% (41.61-51.39), and constructed local cages 54.0% (46.02-61.98). The difference in prevalence of coccidiosis among age groups, breeds, among exotic breeds, sampling sites, husbandry management systems, and litter management systems was statistically significant (<0.0001). However, no significant difference (p>0.05) of infection rates was observed in sex. Conclusion: Coccidiosis is endemic in both commercial and backyard poultry farms in Maiduguri due to poor management practices encouraging Eimeria oocysts build-up. It is therefore, recommended that poultry farmers should practice strict biosecurity measures on their farms, creating awareness on the prevalence of coccidiosis, routine vaccination against coccidiosis and educating poultry farmers on the need for maintaining good hygienic standards and good flock health management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jallailudeen Rabana Lawal
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - Saleh Mohammed Jajere
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - Umar Isa Ibrahim
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - Yaqub Ahmed Geidam
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - Isa Adamu Gulani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - Gambo Musa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - Benjamin U Ibekwe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
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11
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Chang CLT, Yang CY, Muthamilselvan T, Yang WC. Field trial of medicinal plant, Bidens pilosa, against eimeriosis in broilers. Sci Rep 2016; 6:24692. [PMID: 27098674 PMCID: PMC4838822 DOI: 10.1038/srep24692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Eimeriosis is a severe protozoan disease in poultry. Because of increasing concern about drug residue and drug resistance with the use of anticoccidial drugs, natural products are emerging as an alternative and complementary approach to control avian eimeriosis. Our previous publication showed that feed supplemented with B. pilosa (BP) was effective at combating chicken eimeriosis in experimental settings. However, its efficacy against chicken eimeriosis under field conditions is not known. Here, we investigated the efficacy of BP against eimeriosis on an organic chicken farm. We found that feed supplemented with BP, at the dose of 0.025% of feed or more, significantly reduced Eimeria infection. This treatment increased body weight gain and reduced feed conversion ratio, leading to superior growth performance. It lowered morbidity/mortality rate, decreased oocysts per gram of feces and gut pathology and augmented the anticoccidial index. Collectively, these data demonstrated the potential of BP to control chicken eimeriosis on chicken farms. BP can, therefore, be used as an effective means to control eimeriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cicero Lee-Tian Chang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ying Yang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan.,Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taiwan
| | | | - Wen-Chin Yang
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taiwan.,Department of Aquaculture, National Ocean University, Keelung Chung, Taiwan.,Institute of Pharmacology, Yang-Ming University, Taiwan.,Department of Life Sciences, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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12
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Price K. Use of live vaccines for coccidiosis control in replacement layer pullets. J APPL POULTRY RES 2012. [DOI: 10.3382/japr.2011-00486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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13
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Morris GM, Woods WG, Grant Richards D, Gasser RB. The application of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based capillary electrophoretic technique provides detailed insights into Eimeria populations in intensive poultry establishments. Mol Cell Probes 2007; 21:288-94. [PMID: 17448632 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2007.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2007] [Revised: 02/27/2007] [Accepted: 03/08/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal coccidiosis, caused by one or multiple species of Eimeria (Protozoa: Apicomplexa), is one of the most important infectious diseases affecting chickens. In this study, we used a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based capillary electrophoresis (CE) approach to conduct an epidemiological survey of Eimeria species in seven Australian broiler flocks, varying in age from 18 to 42 days. We confirmed that all seven recognized Eimeria species of poultry were present. Eimeria acervulina and E. maxima were the most common, followed by E. mitis (i.e., 89%, 87% and 64% of chickens, respectively). E. praecox was present in 44% of birds, whereas E. brunetti and E. tenella were uncommon, being found in 36% and 26%, respectively. E. necatrix was rarely detected (10%). Even the least common species were present in more than 70% of sheds. The prevalence of individual species was higher in older than in younger chickens. Most of the chickens sampled were simultaneously infected with multiple Eimeria species (mean=3.6). The number of Eimeria oocysts excreted per gram of faeces reached a peak at 36 days of age, before declining to a considerably lower level by 42 days. As anticoccidial drugs were permanently withdrawn at 36 days, the decreasing Eimeria oocyst excretion rates indicated the development of protective immunity in the chickens. The present study showed that even healthy chickens usually harbour numerous species of Eimeria. The CE technique proved to be a time and cost-effective means of investigating the epidemiology of Eimeria in commercial establishments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve M Morris
- Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
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Parker J, Oviedo-Rondón EO, Clack BA, Clemente-Hernández S, Osborne J, Remus JC, Kettunen H, Mäkivuokko H, Pierson EM. Enzymes as feed additive to aid in responses against Eimeria species in coccidia-vaccinated broilers fed corn-soybean meal diets with different protein levels. Poult Sci 2007; 86:643-53. [PMID: 17369534 DOI: 10.1093/ps/86.4.643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This research aimed to evaluate the effects of adding a combination of exogenous enzymes to starter diets varying in protein content and fed to broilers vaccinated at day of hatch with live oocysts and then challenged with mixed Eimeria spp. Five hundred four 1-d-old male Cobb-500 chickens were distributed in 72 cages. The design consisted of 12 treatments. Three anticoccidial control programs [ionophore (IO), coccidian vaccine (COV), and coccidia-vaccine + enzymes (COV + EC)] were evaluated under 3 CP levels (19, 21, and 23%), and 3 unmedicated-uninfected (UU) negative controls were included for each one of the protein levels. All chickens except those in unmedicated-uninfected negative controls were infected at 17 d of age with a mixed oral inoculum of Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, and Eimeria tenella. Live performance, lesion scores, oocyst counts, and samples for gut microflora profiles were evaluated 7 d postinfection. Ileal digestibility of amino acids (IDAA) was determined 8 d postinfection. Microbial communities (MC) were analyzed by G + C%, microbial numbers were counted by flow cytometry, and IgA concentrations were measured by ELISA. The lowest CP diets had poorer (P < or = 0.001) BW gain and feed conversion ratio in the preinfection period. Coccidia-vaccinated broilers had lower performance than the ones fed ionophore diets during pre- and postchallenge periods. Intestinal lesion scores were affected (P < or = 0.05) by anticoccidial control programs, but responses changed according to gut section. Feed additives or vaccination had no effect (P > or = 0.05) on IDAA, and diets with 23% CP had the lowest (P < or = 0.001) IDAA. Coccidial infection had no effect on MC numbers in the ileum but reduced MC numbers in ceca and suppressed ileal IgA production. The COV + EC treatment modulated MC during mixed coccidiosis infection but did not significantly improve chicken performance. Results indicated that feed enzymes may be used to modulate the gut microflora of cocci-vaccinated broiler chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Parker
- Stephen F Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX 75962, USA
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Shirley MW, Blake D, White SE, Sheriff R, Smith AL. Integrating genetics and genomics to identify new leads for the control ofEimeriaspp. Parasitology 2005; 128 Suppl 1:S33-42. [PMID: 16454897 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182004006845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Eimerian parasites display a biologically interesting range of phenotypic variation. In addition to a wide spectrum of drug-resistance phenotypes that are expressed similarly by many other parasites, theEimeriaspp. present some unique phenotypes. For example, unique lines ofEimeriaspp. include those selected for growth in the chorioallantoic membrane of the embryonating hens egg or for faster growth (precocious development) in the mature host. The many laboratory-derived egg-adapted or precocious lines also share a phenotype of a marked attenuation of virulence, the basis of which is different as a consequence of thein ovoorin vivoselection procedures used. Of current interest is the fact that some wild-type populations ofEimeria maximaare characterized by an ability to induce protective immunity that is strain-specific. The molecular basis of phenotypes that defineEimeriaspp. is now increasingly amenable to investigation, both through technical improvements in genetic linkage studies and the availability of a comprehensive genome sequence for the caecal parasiteE. tenella. The most exciting phenotype in the context of vaccination and the development of new vaccines is the trait of strain-specific immunity associated withE. maxima. Recent work in this laboratory has shown that infection of two inbred lines of White Leghorn chickens with the W strain ofE. maximaleads to complete protection to challenge with the homologous parasite, but to complete escape of the heterologous H strain, i.e. the W strain induces an exquisitely strain-specific protective immune response with respect to the H strain. This dichotomy of survival in the face of immune-mediated killing has been examined further and, notably, mating between a drug-resistant W strain and a drug-sensitive H strain leads to recombination between the genetic loci responsible for the specificity of protective immunity and resistance to the anticoccidial drug robenidine. Such a finding opens the way forward for genetic mapping of the loci responsible for the induction of protective immunity and integration with the genome sequencing efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- M W Shirley
- Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratory, Compton, Nr Newbury, Berks, UK.
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