Diagnosis and control of chicken coccidiosis: a recent update

Coccidiosis is a deadly disease that hampers chicken’s productivity and welfare. Thus, the disease is a major menace to the global poultry industry. Coccidiosis which is caused by the apicomplexan parasite of the genus Eimeria has seven known species which affect the different parts of the intestinal tract of chickens. The disease which occurs by ingestion of sporulated oocyst has been associated with poor poultry management system. Mixed infection among the species of this parasite contributes to both pathogenicity and misdiagnosis of the disease. A progress in identification and diagnosis approach which cuts across pathological, morphological and molecular has been reported for this parasite. Control measures which include anticoccidial drugs, vaccines and natural products have dominated literature for this disease. However, the emergence of genetic and antigenic diversity with implication on resistance to anticoccidials among different strains of Eimeria parasite has generated concerns on the effectiveness of the current anticoccidial vaccines. A new look on the control strategy therefore becomes imperative. This study reviews the current trends on the identification and control of chicken coccidiosis with focus on (1) Avian coccidiosis (2) Epidemiology of chicken coccidiosis (3) Eimeria parasite and distribution in poultry (4) Diagnosis of Eimeria parasite (5) Control measures of coccidiosis (6) Threats posed by genetic and antigenic diversity of Eimeria parasite on coccidiosis control. Genomic study on diversity of Eimeria parasite becomes imperative for effective vaccine design against coccidiosis. © 2018, Indian Society for Parasitology.