The value of anticoccidials for sustainable global poultry production

Abstract

Coccidiosis is a self-limiting disease that is universally present in poultry operations, causing extensive damage to the intestinal lining of the bird. Global economic losses from coccidiosis are estimated to be $3 billion per year. In-feed anticoccidial use has been the predominant form of coccidiosis control. However, due to widespread emergence of antimicrobial resistance, concerns have been raised regarding the safety of anticoccidials and the potential impact on human, animal, and environmental health. To investigate the benefits, risks, and alternatives to anticoccidial use, a comprehensive review of recent literature was conducted. Several live vaccines are available, which, when used in combination with anticoccidials, have been shown to help restore sensitivity of infective parasites. However, their use has been limited because of increased cost; increased susceptibility to bacterial enteritis; challenges with consistent application; and slow development of immunity. Various alternative feed products are available, but do not have a direct anticoccidial effect, and few studies have demonstrated consistent field efficacy of these products. Consumer and environmental safety of anticoccidials is monitored and assessed by governing bodies. Furthermore, there is a lack of current evidence to indicate that bacterial resistance poses a public health concern. The findings from this review indicate that in the absence of alternatives, poultry production is optimized by using anticoccidials, benefiting all three pillars of sustainability, including social (bird health, welfare, and food safety), economic (production efficiency), and environmental aspects.

Targeted-Release Organic Acids and Essential Oils Improve Performance and Digestive Function in Broilers under a Necrotic Enteritis Challenge

“…For decades, NE and coccidiosis have been kept under control using antimicrobials and ionophore coccidiostats [7]. Antimicrobial pre-mixes and preventive or metaphylactic uses in large group of pigs and poultry are the main characteristics of those countries where antimicrobial consumption remains high.…”

Utility of Feed Enzymes and Yeast Derivatives in Ameliorating Deleterious Effects of Coccidiosis on Intestinal Health and Function in Broiler Chickens

“…Caused by protozoan parasites of the phylum apicomplexan, genus Eimeria, coccidiosis is inexplicably linked to the advancement and modernization of poultry production and annual global impact amounts to more than $3 billion in morbidity and mortality losses (2,3). The protozoa invades intestinal cells as part of life cycle leading to impaired digestion and absorption, barrier function and secondary bacterial infections (4)(5)(6).…”

Salinomycin Inhibits Influenza Virus Infection by Disrupting Endosomal Acidification and Viral Matrix Protein 2 Function

“…The improved antiviral effect might be attributed to inhibition of multiple steps essential for virus replication, such as endosomal acidification, M2 proton channel function, and NA-mediated release of virus from the host cell. Currently, the monovalent ionophore salinomycin is approved for veterinary use as an antiprotozoal agent and is used to treat coccidiosis in poultry in addition to monensin, narasin, and lasalocid (37,38). Although they were proposed to be effective against human cancers and infectious diseases, their potential toxicity and/or side effects limited their clinical use (39)(40)(41).…”