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 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 • E. acervulina oocyst/ gram litter 400,000 • 1 sq. ft. built up litter 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 » » » Coccidiosis is a common parasitic » disease of the intestinal tract or ceca of and turkeys caused by single- »Toxoplasma celled protozoan parasites of the » which are commonly referred »Wenyonella to as coccidia. »Tyzzeria »

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 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 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. • Always scrape the gut and look for • Check 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 week-old birds. 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- 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 Sacox UnistatDOT 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 •Straightprograms 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-upprograms Start with a lower level of the anticoccidial Coyden Clopidol Huvepharma and increase it during peak challenge (3-4 Clinacox Diclazuril Huvepharma weeks).

8 IONOPHORE ANTICOCCIDIALS CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS 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. •Rotationalprograms • 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 of the birds. field challenge.

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 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.

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