Coccidiosis in Poultry - A Review

Abstract

Coccidiosis is caused by an intracellular protozoan parasite belonging to the genus Eimeria of the family Eimeridae. Eimeria are extremely host-specific. Poultry are mainly affected by nine species of Eimeria, which include E. acervulina, E. maxima, E. mitis, E. brunetti, E. mivati, E. necatrix, E. tenella, E. praecox, E. hagani, E. meleagrimitis, E. adenoeides, and E. gallopavonis. The disease causes decreased feed and water consumption, reduced body weight, and a drop in egg production. Clinical coccidiosis is characterized by lesions noticed in various areas of the small intestine, which may lead to secondary infections, mainly clostridium infections. The effective way to control coccidial infections is by adopting good husbandry practices at the farm level, inclusion of anti-coccidial drugs in the feed, and prevention can be done by vaccination of the flock.