A Review of Approaches Targeting the Replacement of Coccidiostat Application in Poultry Production

Abstract

The classical and the most commonly used approach for the prevention of coccidiosis in chickens is the incorporation of synthetic coccidiostats into their feed during the first weeks of their life. This approach has been challenged by consumers, objecting against residual antimicrobials and drug resistant microorganisms that may contaminate poultry products. Moreover, the coccidiostat application approach has been challenged in the last decade by the emerging regulations in the developed world, targeting the cessation of such a practice. The pressures from the consumers as well as from regulation agencies resulted in a great need for alternative methods to reduce, or completely replace the use of coccidiostats in modern chicken production. This replacement requires seeking for safer products that do not have any negative impact on the consumer's health. Such products are very much in demand, especially in organic poultry farming. The purpose of this review is to present approaches for the replacement of coccidiostat application in chickens through improvements in poultry house management, research in vaccine developments, and application of holistic natural products for the prevention of the economic losses resulting from coccidiosis.

Coccidiostats and Poultry: A Comprehensive Review and Current Legislation

“…Commercial vaccination of replacement breeders, laying pullets, and commercial broilers began in 1992 in the EU, followed in 2000 by a vaccine for commercial layers [ 27 ]. Presently, three types of vaccines are used: non-attenuated, attenuated and recombinant vaccines [ 42 ], comprising an assortment of non-attenuated and attenuated parasites of different species [ 40 ].…”

Poultry Coccidiosis-A Concurrent Overview on Etiology, Diagnostic Practices, and Preventive Measures

“…Live vaccines are comprised of either attenuated (precocious) or non-attenuated (virulent/wild-type) Eimeria strains, which help in developing the immunity of birds against coccidiosis by recycling its lower dosage to a progeny (Quiroz-Castañeda and Dantán-González, 2015). Due to the risk of the direct introduction of live parasites to birds, live vaccines have been limited for broiler chickens in the past five decades, nonetheless, with the improved management and administration practises it is applying exponentially in present (Barbour et al, 2015). The use of live vaccines for and Shirley, 2009;Price, 2012).…”

“…which develop humoral and cell-mediated immunity in chickens against coccidiosis infection (Peek and Landman, 2011;Barbour et al, 2015). Generally, the micronemes proteins (MIC) and protein secreted from the apical organelles of the Eimeria parasites (i.e., Apical membrane antigen 1, MITHB, MIC2, MIC3, MIC4 etc.)…”

Anticoccidial effect of Origanum majoranum aqueous extract on Eimeria tenella-infected chicken

“…However, several shortcomings of Eimeria spp. vaccines were observed including: increased cost; tendency of losing their immunogenicity with prolonged storage periods, increased susceptibility to bacterial enteritis; challenges with consistent application; and slow development of immunity (Barbour et al, 2015;Kadykalo et al, 2018). Therefore, assessment of new natural medicinal products as an alternative way to control avian coccidiosis is required.…”