Difference between revisions of "Coccidiosis - Poultry"

From WikiVet English
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with 'Coccidia - Poultry '''Pathogenesis''' *7 important ''Eimeria'' species *4 malabsorptive species **''Eimeria acervulina'' which is moderately pathogenic **''Eimeria maxima''…')
 
m (Text replace - 'Eimeria' to 'Eimeria')
Line 2: Line 2:
  
 
'''Pathogenesis'''
 
'''Pathogenesis'''
*7 important ''Eimeria'' species
+
*7 important ''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]]'' species
  
 
*4 malabsorptive species
 
*4 malabsorptive species
**''Eimeria acervulina'' which is moderately pathogenic
+
**''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] acervulina'' which is moderately pathogenic
**''Eimeria maxima'' which is moderately pathogenic
+
**''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] maxima'' which is moderately pathogenic
**''Eimeria mitis'' which has low pathogenicity
+
**''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] mitis'' which has low pathogenicity
**''Eimeria praecox'' which has low pathogenicity
+
**''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] praecox'' which has low pathogenicity
  
 
*3 haemorrhagic species
 
*3 haemorrhagic species
**''Eimeria tenella''
+
**''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] tenella''
**''Eimeria necatrix''
+
**''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] necatrix''
**''Eimeria brunetti''
+
**''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] brunetti''
 
**All highly pathogenic
 
**All highly pathogenic
 
**Form large sub-epithelial second generation schizonts at the base of intestinal crypts
 
**Form large sub-epithelial second generation schizonts at the base of intestinal crypts
Line 28: Line 28:
 
**Size of schizonts and oocysts found in mucosal scrapings
 
**Size of schizonts and oocysts found in mucosal scrapings
  
*''Eimeria acervulina''  
+
*''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] acervulina''  
 
**Proximal gut  
 
**Proximal gut  
 
**Thickening of walls
 
**Thickening of walls
Line 34: Line 34:
 
**Watery exudate
 
**Watery exudate
  
*''Eimeria maxima''
+
*''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] maxima''
 
**Mid-gut
 
**Mid-gut
 
**Thickening of walls
 
**Thickening of walls
 
**Pink exudate  
 
**Pink exudate  
  
*''Eimeria tenella''
+
*''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] tenella''
 
**Swollen [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caeca]]
 
**Swollen [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caeca]]
 
**Thickening of wall
 
**Thickening of wall
 
**Dark colouring containing a core of necrotic tissue and blood
 
**Dark colouring containing a core of necrotic tissue and blood
  
*Lesion scoring is the best method of diagnosing the severity of the lesions and therefore the causative ''Eimeria'' species
+
*Lesion scoring is the best method of diagnosing the severity of the lesions and therefore the causative ''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]]'' species
  
*''Eimeria necatrix''
+
*''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] necatrix''
 
**Mid-gut
 
**Mid-gut
 
**Ballooning of wall
 
**Ballooning of wall
Line 53: Line 53:
  
 
'''Immunity'''
 
'''Immunity'''
*Different ''Eimeria'' species produce different levels of protective immunity
+
*Different ''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]]'' species produce different levels of protective immunity
 
**''E.maxima'' -> ''E.brunetti'' and ''E.acervulina'' -> ''E.tenella'' and ''E.necatrix''
 
**''E.maxima'' -> ''E.brunetti'' and ''E.acervulina'' -> ''E.tenella'' and ''E.necatrix''
  
Line 86: Line 86:
 
**Paracox
 
**Paracox
 
***Multivalent attenuated [[Vaccines - WikiBlood#What antigen(s) do we use in the vaccine?|live vaccine]] for replacement layers and broilers
 
***Multivalent attenuated [[Vaccines - WikiBlood#What antigen(s) do we use in the vaccine?|live vaccine]] for replacement layers and broilers
***Contains 7 live strains of ''Eimeria''
+
***Contains 7 live strains of ''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]]''
 
***Lack the most pathogenic life cycle stage making the prepatent period shorter
 
***Lack the most pathogenic life cycle stage making the prepatent period shorter
 
***Known as '''precocious''' strains
 
***Known as '''precocious''' strains
Line 92: Line 92:
 
***[[Vaccines - WikiBlood|Vaccinated]] birds have sub-optimal growth rates so is not used for broilers
 
***[[Vaccines - WikiBlood|Vaccinated]] birds have sub-optimal growth rates so is not used for broilers
 
**Paracox 5
 
**Paracox 5
***Contains 5 strains of the most pathogenic ''Eimeria''
+
***Contains 5 strains of the most pathogenic ''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]]''
 
***Used for broilers
 
***Used for broilers
 
***Sprayed onto the first feed offered to new batches of chicks
 
***Sprayed onto the first feed offered to new batches of chicks

Revision as of 22:51, 8 April 2010

Coccidia - Poultry

Pathogenesis

  • 4 malabsorptive species
    • Eimeria acervulina which is moderately pathogenic
    • Eimeria maxima which is moderately pathogenic
    • Eimeria mitis which has low pathogenicity
    • Eimeria praecox which has low pathogenicity
  • 3 haemorrhagic species
    • Eimeria tenella
    • Eimeria necatrix
    • Eimeria brunetti
    • All highly pathogenic
    • Form large sub-epithelial second generation schizonts at the base of intestinal crypts
    • Deep eruptions form when cells rupture to release merozoites
    • Destruction of crypt stem cells and marked haemorrhage
    • Blood stained faeces
    • High morbidity and high mortality

Diagnosis

  • Post-mortem diagnosis of lesion severity
    • Region of intestine affected
    • Appearance of lesion
    • Presence or absence of haemorrhage
    • Size of schizonts and oocysts found in mucosal scrapings
  • Eimeria acervulina
    • Proximal gut
    • Thickening of walls
    • 'White ladder lesions' produced by dense foci of gamonts and oocysts
    • Watery exudate
  • Eimeria maxima
    • Mid-gut
    • Thickening of walls
    • Pink exudate
  • Eimeria tenella
    • Swollen caeca
    • Thickening of wall
    • Dark colouring containing a core of necrotic tissue and blood
  • Lesion scoring is the best method of diagnosing the severity of the lesions and therefore the causative Eimeria species
  • Eimeria necatrix
    • Mid-gut
    • Ballooning of wall
    • White spots and petechiae forming 'salt and pepper' lesions
    • Haemorrhage into lumen

Immunity

  • Different Eimeria species produce different levels of protective immunity
    • E.maxima -> E.brunetti and E.acervulina -> E.tenella and E.necatrix
  • There is no cross immunity between species
  • There is very little passive immunity
  • Evokes a cell-mediated response
  • All ages of poultry are susceptible

Epidemiology

  • Oocysts are ubiquitous and robust
    • Able to survive several months to years
  • It is impossible to keep buildings free from infection
    • Chicks become infected by pecking the ground shortly after being placed in the poultry house
  • Biotic potential is enormous
    • Generation time is short
    • Massive infections can build up rapidly
  • Immunity develops relatively slowly
    • With high stocking densities the situation is explosive

Control

  • Chemical
    • Intensive poultry production is largely dependent on the use of anticoccidial drugs
    • For more information see here
  • Vaccines
    • Paracox
      • Multivalent attenuated live vaccine for replacement layers and broilers
      • Contains 7 live strains of Eimeria
      • Lack the most pathogenic life cycle stage making the prepatent period shorter
      • Known as precocious strains
      • Chicks vaccinated on a single occasion when 1-9 days old through oocyst suspension in the feed or water
      • Vaccinated birds have sub-optimal growth rates so is not used for broilers
    • Paracox 5
      • Contains 5 strains of the most pathogenic Eimeria
      • Used for broilers
      • Sprayed onto the first feed offered to new batches of chicks
  • Integrated control
    • Careful management is needed so in-feed prophylaxis and vaccination do not fail
    • Remove litter and thoroughly clean houses in between crops
      • Optimum turn-around time is 10 days
    • Use the lowest stocking density which is compatible with economic production
    • Water bowls, roofs and walls should be well maintained to prevent litter becoming damp
    • Stress factors should be avoided and adequate nutrition provided