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

COCCIDIOSIS - A threat to economic growth of poultry farmers!

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 productivity and economic growth of poultry farmers.

Eimeria is ubiquitously present in almost all poultry farms, but become clinically significant after ingestion of large number of sporulated oocysts by poultry. It can spread easily through feed, dust, water, caging system, 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 diarrhoea and haemorrhage in extreme conditions. Coccidiosis in poultry also reduces weight, 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 includes (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.

*IMAGE- SPECIES OF EIMERIA AND SITE OF INFECTION*

Life Cycle of Eimeria

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

The exogenous phase (environmental) –

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

The endogenous phases (inside chicken)-

·Sporulated oocysts begins 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 develops first generation merozoites which further infects intestinal cells.

·Gametes are formed after few numbers of asexual cycles, beginning the development of sexual stage known as gametogony. The sexual phase ends with formation and release of oocysts into the intestinal lumen of the chicken which is then excreted in environment. Oocysts after sporulation in environment becomes infective.

*IMAGE – COCCIDIOSIS LIFECYCLE IN POULTRY*

Intensified poultry farming creates environment suitable for survival and spread of Eimeria oocysts, increasing the risk of infection among the flocks.  The losses caused by Eimeria infection in poultry shows 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 impacts 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 which 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 intestine, reduces the oocyst shading and helps to improve recovery from Eimeria infection in poultry.

*IMAGE- MODE OF ACTION OF BIOCOCCIN*

The phyto- molecules of BIOCOCCIN show anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions which helps to improve recovery from coccidiosis in poultry and reduce the mortality rate. With BIOCOCCIN, farmers can safeguard their flocks and profits.

*References on request

Hashtags- Coccidiosis in poultry, Eimeria infection, Coccidiosis control, natural coccidiostat, phytogenic coccidiostat