Coccidiosis

Poultry coccidiosis is caused by Eimeria species. The poultry industry has grown to its massive size through the development and administration of anticoccidial drugs. Most growing birds are fed compounded rations containing anticoccidial drugs which has radically reduced the deaths from coccidiosis bringing the mortality rate down to negligible levels. Careful management is needed to prevent decreased productivity from infection through decreased egg production, weight gain and feed conversion ratios.

Mammalian coccidiosis is usually associated with watery diarrhoea, dysentery and weight loss. It usually presents in young animals which are living in overcrowded and unhygienic conditions.

Pathogenicity of coccidiosis is related to the size of the endogenous stages, the location of the infection in the mucosa and the site of infection. For example, infection in the small intestine can lead to compensation whereas infection in the large intestine will affect water absorption. If mucosal stem cells are affected, it will cause villous atrophy and a prolonged recovery.