Effective Coccidiosis Management in Poultry: Challenges and the Role of BIOCOCCIN

The poultry industry faces various health challenges, with diseases being a constant threat to flock growth and profitability. Infectious diseases like avian influenza, Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, coccidiosis, and salmonellosis as well as non-infectious issues like nutritional deficiencies and managemental disorders impact flock health. Notably, Coccidiosis is one of the most significant parasitic diseases caused by protozoa of the Eimeria species, adversely affecting the productivity and economic growth of poultry farmers.
Eimeria is ubiquitously present in almost all poultry farms but becomes clinically significant after ingestion of a large number of sporulated oocysts by poultry. It can spread easily through feed, dust, water, caging systems, equipment as well as by insects and rodents.

Impact of Coccidiosis on Poultry

Eimeria infection affects the mucosal cells of the host increasing membrane permeability, eventually impacting digestion and absorption of protein and other nutrients. This causes diarrhea and hemorrhage in extreme conditions. Coccidiosis in poultry also reduces weight, and feed conversion rate, and increases mortality, leading to significant losses in productivity and profitability.

Understanding Coccidiosis in Poultry

Coccidiosis in poultry is caused by Eimeria, a eukaryotic, host-specific, unicellular protozoa that infects the intestinal epithelium of poultry. Seven species of Eimeria that are infective in chicken include (E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. maxima, E. mitis, E. necatrix, E. praecox and E. tenella). Among these, Eimeria tenella (ceca), Eimeria brunetti (lower small intestine, rectum, ceca, and cloaca), and Eimeria necatrix (proximal and mid portions of the small intestine) are considered more infectious in chickens than other species.

 

Species of Eimeria And Site of Infection

 

Life Cycle of Eimeria

Eimeria is transmitted by oral-faecal route. The life cycle of Eimeria consists of two distinct stages –

The exogenous phase (environmental) –

• Sporogony happens after the oocyte is excreted by the bird. Sporozoite, surrounded by a resistant oocyst wall is the infective form of It is present in sporulated oocysts formed due to the division of protoplasm.

The endogenous phases (inside chicken) –

• Sporulated oocysts begin to replicate after being ingested by chicken orally. The digestive enzymes and mechanical disruption help to release sporozoites from oocysts inside the intestine of chicken. The sporozoites released invade intestinal cells beginning schizogony, the asexual developmental stage, and developing first generation merozoites which further infects intestinal cells.
• Gametes are formed after a few numbers of asexual cycles, beginning the development of the sexual stage known as gametogony. The sexual phase ends with the formation and release of oocysts into the intestinal lumen of the chicken which is then excreted in the environment. Oocysts after sporulation in the environment become infective.

 

 

Intensified poultry farming creates an environment suitable for the survival and spread of Eimeria oocysts, increasing the risk of infection among the flocks. The losses caused by Eimeria infection in poultry show the importance of effective control strategies. Various standard and innovative approaches have been developed to manage coccidiosis in poultry.

Control Methods Used

Traditional methods like anticoccidial medications and vaccines are used for the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis. However, the risk of drug resistance, consumer demand for residual-free poultry products, and increasing cost impact the significance of these methods.  In response to these challenges, natural and cost-effective alternatives have been used due to their safety and sustainability.  BIOCOCCIN is an herbal coccidiostat specifically designed to control Eimeria infection in poultry.

BIOCOCCIN – A Natural Coccidiosis Control

BIOCOCCIN is a phytogenic coccidiostat that helps to control coccidiosis in poultry. It acts on multiple species of Eimeria.  Phyto-molecules present in BIOCOCCIN prevent the release of the Eimeria sporozoites from the oocyst and its penetration in the intestinal epithelium i.e. mainly the Sporogony and Schizogony stages of the Eimeria cycle. It helps to prevent further damage to the intestine, reduces the oocyst shading, and helps to improve recovery from Eimeria infection in poultry.

Mode of Action of BIOCOCCIN 

 

 

The Phyto molecules of BIOCOCCIN show anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions which help to improve recovery from coccidiosis in poultry and reduce mortality rates. With BIOCOCCIN, farmers

can safeguard their flocks and profits.

References on request