Coccidiosis or Coccidiasis?

Hector M. Cervantes
DVM, MS, DACPV, Hon. MAM
Senior Manager
Poultry Technical Services

2015 Poultry Institute Meeting

November 19 – Puyallup, WA

The Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 2015 Coccidia Are Present In Every Poultry
House Anywhere In The World

Coccidia Are Present In Every Poultry Reproductive Potential

House Anywhere In The World
1 oocyst can produce • Day 20 ~ 30,000
oocyst/ gram litter
• E. acervulina
• 1 sq. ft. built up litter
400,000
weighs ~ 1.5 kg
• E. maxima 12,000
• E. tenella 72,000
40 X 400 ft= 16,0000 sq. ft.
~ total oocysts in house
720,000,000, 000
Slide courtesy: G.F. Mathis, Southern Poultry Research

1
 OTHER GENERA OF
APICOMPLEXAN PARASITES
COCCIDIOSIS - DEFINITION » Isospora
» Haemoproteus
» Leucocytozoon
Coccidiosis is a common parasitic
» Plasmodium
disease of the intestinal tract or ceca of
chickens and turkeys caused by single- » Toxoplasma
celled protozoan parasites of the genus » Sarcocystis
Eimeria which are commonly referred » Wenyonella
to as coccidia. » Tyzzeria
» Cryptosporidium

COCCIDIOSIS VS. COCCIDIASIS COCCIDIOSIS VS. COCCIDIASIS

There are 2 types of coccidiosis: Because in most cases the feed chickens and
Clinical coccidiosis where the affected birds turkeys consume is supplemented with
show typical symptoms of disease, such as anticoccidial drugs, cases of clinical
bloody droppings and increased mortality coccidiosis are not nearly as common as
and those of subclinical coccidiosis.
Subclinical coccidiosis where the affected birds
do not show visible symptoms of the disease For this reason, subclinical cases of coccidiosis
but the gross lesions and the coccidia are are much more prevalent and harder to
present. diagnose and treat and the performance of
these flocks is substandard.

Incidence of Subclinical Diseases

COCCIDIOSIS VS. COCCIDIASIS
U.S. Broilers - Overall Ranking (%)
The prevalence of subclinical coccidiosis is most
frequently monitored by conducting “cocci
checks”.

Extremely good performance responses to

diclazuril observed by many companies
following its introduction clearly illustrated the
significant adverse effects of subclinical
coccidiosis on flock performance.
Cervantes, H., WPDC, 2002

2
 Occassionally Outbreaks of
U.S. Broilers Overall Ranking (%) Coccidiosis Occur in Caged Layers
2002 vs. 2006

Cervantes, H., AVMA/AAAP, 2006

MOST COMMON COCCIDIA OTHER COCCIDIA

IN BROILERS
»Eimeria acervulina »Eimeria brunetti
»Eimeria maxima »Eimeria necatrix
»Eimeria tenella »Eimeria mitis
»Eimeria praecox

SIGNS OF COCCIDIOSIS
• Typical sick bird attitude.
• Inadequate pigmentation (pale shanks).
• Anorexia (loss of appetite).
• Huddling under brooders.
• Ruffled feathers, soiled vent.
• Enteritis/flushing and wet litter.
• Impaired nutrient absorption/feed
passage.

3
 ADVERSE EFFECTS ON
BROILER PERFORMANCE

• weight gain; feed conversion.

• mortality.
• Secondary infections.
• medication cost.
• Bloody droppings.
• Anemia.
• Sudden death.

DISEASES OR CONDITIONS DISEASES OR CONDITIONS

THAT MAY LOOK LIKE COCCI THAT MAY LOOK LIKE COCCI

• Pale bird/malabsorption syndrome/RSS. • Consumption of poor quality feed (i.e.,

• Mycotoxicosis. rancid fat, soybean meal with high
• Clinical and subclinical NE. levels of tripsin inhibitors).
• Enteric salmonellosis. • Excess salt in feed.
• Enteric colibacillosis. • Enteric viruses.
• Classical IBD. • Other internal parasites.
• Non-specific enteritis.

ASSESSING THE CHALLENGE AND THE ASSESSING THE CHALLENGE AND THE
EFFICACY OF ANTICOCCIDIAL PROGRAMS EFFICACY OF ANTICOCCIDIAL PROGRAMS
• Look for typical gross lesions.
• Always follow the same procedure.
• Examine 5 birds per house (avoid culls). • Always score from 0 (no lesions) to +4
(most severe lesions).
• Check 2 or more farms per age group.
• Check 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 week-old birds.
• Always scrape the gut and look for
oocysts under the microscope to
• Carefully inspect the outside and inside of confirm E. maxima.
the gut for gross lesions of coccidiosis.
• If anticoccidial failure is suspected,
• Always scrape the mid-gut to look for E.
maxima oocysts with a microscope. always collect and assay a feed sample
for drug content.

4
 ASSESSING THE CHALLENGE

• Keep in mind that onset of lesions may

shift to a later period when a strong
chemical drug is used in the starter
feed.

PEAK OOCYST PRODUCTION ASSESSING THE CHALLENGE

OOCYST NUMBERS

• Oocyst counts:
Litter vs. droppings

• Sensitivity limit:
100 oocysts/gram

Oocyst Counts (OPGs)

• Impending risk:

E. acervulina 100,000

E. maxima 10,000

E. tenella 70,000

5
 LESION SCORING REGIONS

• Upper region = Duodenum and upper

jejunum.
• Middle region = Jejunum (mid and
lower jejunum).
• Lower region = Ileum and rectum.
• Cecal region = Ceca.
J. Johnson & W.M. Reid, 1970.

COCCIDIOSIS COMPARISON
CLINICAL SUBCLINICAL
COCCIDIOSIS COCCIDIOSIS

COCCIDIOSIS COMPARISON
CLINICAL SUBCLINICAL
COCCIDIOSIS COCCIDIOSIS

6
COCCIDIOSIS COMPARISON
CLINICAL SUBCLINICAL
COCCIDIOSIS COCCIDIOSIS

COCCIDIASIS?

7
 COCCIDIOSIS CONTROL COCCIDIOSIS PREVENTION
OBJECTIVES PROGRAMS

• Broilers: • Chemoprophylaxis:
Control infection to maximize Chemical anticoccidials.
performance, immunity development is Ionophore anticoccidials.
secondary. Chemical + Ionophore anticoccidials.
• Breeder pullets and table-egg layers: • Vaccination:
Controlled exposure to ensure Live attenuated and non-attenuated
protective immunity in all pullets by 12 vaccines.
weeks of age.

USA Broiler Production & COCCIDIOSIS PREVENTION PROGRAMS

Introduction of Anticoccidials CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS - IONOPHORES

TRADE NAME IONOPHORE MANUFACTURER

Monteban Aviax II Semduramicin Phibro

Bonaid Avatec Maxiban
Nicarb
Novastat Robenz Clinacox Sacox Salinomycin Huvepharma
Amprol Coyden Aviax
Polystat
DOT
Unistat
Sacox Bio-Cox Salinomycin Pfizer
SQ NFZ Stenorol
Bio-Cox Cygro
Sulfanilamide Coban Avatec Lasalocid Pfizer
Sulfur Rox Rofenaid
Deccox
Coban Monensin Elanco
Monteban Narasin Elanco

CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS
COCCIDIOSIS PREVENTION PROGRAMS
CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS - CHEMICALS • Straight programs
The same anticoccidial is used until
TRADE NAME CHEMICAL MANUFACTURER withdrawal.
Nicarb Nicarbazin Phibro • Shuttle programs
One anticoccidial is used in the starter feed
Amprol Amprolium Huvepharma
Another anticoccidial is used in the grower
Robenz Robenidine Pfizer feed.
Zoamix Zoalene Pfizer • Set-up programs
Start with a lower level of the anticoccidial
Coyden Clopidol Huvepharma
and increase it during peak challenge (3-4
Clinacox Diclazuril Huvepharma weeks).

8
 CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS IONOPHORE ANTICOCCIDIALS
CHARACTERISTICS

• Step-down programs • They allow some coccidiosis to occur.

The concentration of the anticoccidial is • The level of coccidiosis allowed has a minimal
lowered in the latter feed(s). adverse effect on flock performance.
• Rotational programs • The low-grade cycling of coccidia is
commonly referred to as a “leakage” and it
The anticoccidial drug is changed every
allows a gradual development of immunity.
3, 4 or 6 months resulting in 4, 3 or 2
• The coccidia are not under selection pressure
rotations per year. and are not as likely to mutate and develop
resistance.

IONOPHORE ANTICOCCIDIALS CHEMICAL ANTICOCCIDIALS

CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS

• This prolongs the anticoccidial’s useful • Typically this type of anticoccidial do not
life. allow coccidiosis to occur (except a few like
• Ionophores are versatile, they can be Nicarb).
used in straight, shuttle, step-up, step- • Birds do not develop immunity.
down and rotational programs. • The coccidia are under selection pressure and
• Some are cleared for use in breeder are more likely to mutate and develop
and layer pullets. resistance to the drug.
• Most of them benefit from the addition • The resistance problem reduces the drug’s
of 3-nitro to the feed. efficacy and its useful life.

CHEMICAL ANTICOCCIDIALS ASSESSING THE NEED FOR

CHARACTERISTICS TREATMENT

• Drug resistance may develop completely and • Use incidence of coccidiosis and severity
suddenly, the consequences can be
of gross lesion scores to determine when
devastating.
to treat.
• They are best used in shuttle programs
(usually in the starter feed) and rotational • Always use a drug that is effective
programs. against the Eimeria species that you are
• They are usually not used for more than one dealing with.
or two cycles. • Always read the medication label.
• Most of them benefit from the addition of 3- • Always comply with drug withdrawal
nitro to the feed.
requirements.

9
 WHEN TO TREAT FOR COCCI:
A GENERAL RULE OF THUMB COCCIDIOSIS TREATMENT
Birds should be treated for coccidiosis
when: Each species and/or strain of coccidia reacts
differently to every drug.

Eimeria acervulina or E. maxima Therefore, one drug may be more effective

Lesion scores are +2 or higher in 80% than another one in controlling a particular
field challenge.
of the birds.
Eimeria tenella lesion scores are +2 or In general, Eimeria tenella is more sensitive to
higher in 20% of the birds. amprolium water medications than to sulfas.

COCCIDOSIS PREVENTION PROGRAMS

COCCIDIOSIS TREATMENT
VACCINES

In general, E. acervulina, E. maxima and TRADE NAME TARGET BIRD MANUFACTURER

E. necatrix are more sensitive to sulfas Coccivac – B Broilers & roasters MERCK
Coccivac – D Layers & breeders MERCK
than to amprolium water medications. Coccivac – T Turkeys MERCK
Immucox Chickens I Broilers & Roasters CEVA
Immucox Chickens II Breeders & Egg CEVA
Full details of drugs available and Layers
treatment regimens are available in the Immucox for Turkeys Turkeys CEVA
paper hand-out. Advent Broiler chickens only Viridus (NOVUS)
Inovocox Broiler chickens only Embrex
Hatchpack Cocci-III Broiler chickens only MERIAL

COCCIDOSIS PREVENTION PROGRAMS

COCCIDOSIS PREVENTION PROGRAMS
VACCINES
VACCINES
VACCINE ADMINISTRATION
VACCINE EIMERIA SPECIES METHOD
INCLUDED Coccivac – B Spray cabinet, Eye spray, Feed
or Water
Coccivac – B Ace, Max, Miv, Ten
Coccivac – D Spray cabinet, Eye spray, Feed
Coccivac – D Ace, Bru, Max, Mit, Miv, Nec,
or Water
Pra, Ten
Coccivac – T Spray cabinet, Eye spray, Feed
Coccivac – T Ade, Dis, Gal, Mel
or Water
Immucox for Chickens I Ace, Max, Nec, Ten
Immucox for Chickens I Gel
Immucox for Chickens II Ace, Bru, Max, Nec, Ten
Immucox for Chickens II Gel
Immucox for Turkeys Ade, Mel
Immucox for Turkeys Gel
Advent Ace, Max, Ten
Advent Spray cabinet or Feed
Inovocox Ace, Max, Ten
Inovocox In-ovo injection
Hatchpack Cocci-III Ace, Max, Ten
Hatchpack Cocci-III Spray cabinet

10
 COCCIDOSIS PREVENTION PROGRAMS
COCCIDOSIS PREVENTION PROGRAMS
VACCINES
VACCINES
• Primarily used during summer time in heavy
broilers or in “organic” or drug-free chickens • Typically not used to improve performance
• None of the vaccine manufacturers are (controlled infection), vaccine-induced lesions
recommending routine use of amprolium post- may predispose birds to NE
vaccination • Addition of an antibiotic with good anticlostridial
activity like virginiamycin (Stafac®) in the feed is
• Vaccines appear to produce more consistent recommended to prevent NE and maintain good
results when used on built-up litter performance
• Performance (feed conversion) may suffer, • Viable rotational alternative (summer time)
possibly due to lesions and lack of antibiotic • May restore sensitivity to ionophore anticoccidials
effect from the removal of the ionophore • Good responses to ionophore anticoccidials
anticoccidial (sometimes used in conjunction with following vaccine use have been reported
an anticoccidial)

COCCIDOSIS PREVENTION PROGRAMS

COCCIDOSIS PREVENTION PROGRAMS
VACCINES
VACCINES
• Vaccine storage, mixing and administration is • Newest spray vaccination method for
critical the hatchery is by gel-spray
• Uniformity of vaccine administration is critical • Newest injection vaccination method is
• Uniform administration ensures the delivery “in-ovo” into 18 day-old chicken
of a protective dose to each bird
embryos at the hatchery during transfer
• Uniform administration prevents “post-
vaccination reactions” and the need for half-
dose treatments with amprolium that may
interfere with the development of immunity

Daily Oocyst Shedding Pattern

Following Coccidiosis Vaccination

Necrotic Enteritis

E. maxima

Day 0 Day 7 Day Day Day Day Day Day Day

14 19 24 26 35 42 49

Day of Age

11
 VACCINATION COCCIDIOSIS PREVENTION
KEY POINTS MANAGING THE ENVIRONMENT
• Vaccine for broilers and breeder pullets • Under suitable environmental conditions,
should preferably contain only the species oocysts sporulate and become infectious
endemic in the area. within 24-48 hours.
• Following early vaccination E. acervulina, E. • Keeping the proper balance between
maxima and E. tenella gross lesions may be ventilation and heat will help reduce
found from 6 days postvaccination until day sporulation by maintaining drier litter.
35. • Management factors like the periodic raking
• To limit the damage induced by the vaccine, and removal of caked litter, proper height,
the administration of amprolium 10 days p.v. pressure and maintenance of nipple drinkers
at a half level was often recommended. will aid to keep drier litter.
Sometimes a 2nd treatment was needed
during the 4th or 5th week .

COCCIDIOSIS PREVENTION
MANAGING THE ENVIRONMENT

• If stocking density is high and oocyst

sporulation fast the challenge may
overwhelm any product, especially if the
birds are immunosupressed by IBDV, CIAV,
MDV, aflatoxins, etc.
• Inevitably, wet litter leads to faster and
higher rates of oocyst sporulation and higher
challenge.
• This is one reason for which coccidiosis is still
usually a bigger problem during the cold or
rainy months of the year.

12
 MANAGING COCCIDIOSIS
SUMMARY
• Coccidiosis remains today the most frequently
diagnosed subclinical disease of broiler chickens.
• The estimated global cost to broiler producers for
prevention and control programs is $300 M.
• The estimated global economic losses on broiler
performance are at least $3 billion.
• Therefore, it is of critical importance to monitor
on a routine basis the prevalence of this disease
through routine “cocci checks”.
• Changes to anticoccidial programs should be
based on necropsy findings and flock
performance results.

MANAGING COCCIDIOSIS
SUMMARY

• There are no new anticoccidial drugs in

development due to the expense involve and the
uncertainties of the current regulatory environment.
• Therefore, the current anticoccidial drugs must be
used in the most rational programs to maintain and
extend their effective useful life.

13