Vaccines for the control of apicomplexan parasites: Current status and prospects

Apicomplexan parasites cause diseases in animals and man throughout the world. A wide variety of host species may be affected. In Ireland, for example, all veterinary practitioners will be familiar with the potential consequences of coccidiosis, cryptosporidiosis, toxoplasmosis, neosporosis and babesiosis. In this review the Limitations of current control methods were highlighted, present vaccination strategies outlined and current research to develop more effective vaccines for the control of these diseases described.