eimeria prevention by hipra logo transparent background
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Library
  • Calculators
  • FAQ’s
Menu
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Library
  • Calculators
  • FAQ’s
Search
Close

Holistic approach to gut health: preventing the symptoms of coccidiosis in chickens prevents the exacerbation of necrotic enteritis? (Part 2)

  • November 25, 2019
Share on TwitterShare on Linkedin

Even if symptoms of coccidiosis in chickens are not the only predisposing factor to necrotic enteritis, they are probably the most common due to the widespread presence of the disease in commercial poultry.


 

In our previous post we described the hypotesis of a composite approach with the use of attenuated coccidiosis vaccines and feed additives in order to control the problem of necrotic enteritis (NE) in broilers.

NE lesions in the positive control group after challenge
 

In order to do so, we set up an experimental trial to test the efficacy of an attenuated coccidiosis vaccine in combination with different feed additives in preventing the loss of production performance and intestinal lesions in broilers challenged with NE.

In the present post, we will show the results of the trial.

 

Symptoms of coccidiosis in chickens and NE evaluation: mean intestinal lesion score, mortality, productive performances and oocyst excretion in the faeces

The experimental NE challenge in the positive control group of birds showed a slight but not significant increase in mortality and a significant increase in intestinal lesions associated with symptoms of coccidiosis in chickens with E. maxima and also with C. perfringens (Graphics 1 and 2).

Vaccine administered alone or in combination with feed additives in the diet significantly decreased the intestinal lesion score associated with C. perfringens and slightly but not significantly the mortality compared to the untreated group; the lack of significant differences in mortality was probably due to the high variation (Graphic 2).

The MCFA supplemented group was the only one which showed a synergistic effect with the vaccine; thus, a further statistically significant decrease in the intestinal lesion score associated with C. perfringens was observed.

 

Coccidiosis in Chickens: Mortality
Graphic 6. Eimeria spp. oocyst excretion in faeces. Results are reported as number of oocysts per gram (OPG).

 

The effect on body weight (BW) due to NE and symptoms of coccidiosis in chickens was seen shortly after the challenge (Graphic 3).

The disease reduced the growth of the birds as demonstrated by the lower body weight (BW) and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) (Graphic 4).

The main effect of the disease on the productive performances was observed at 28 dpv and growth losses were compensated by birds afterwards but with less efficiency (Graphics 3-4).

After the NE challenge, the vaccinated groups grew and converted feed better than the positive control group as shown by the higher BW and lower FCR (Graphics 3-4).

A compensatory growth after the challenge (28-42 dpv) was probably the cause of the observed lack of significant benefits on this parameter at 42 dpv (Graphic 3).

The supplementation of the diet with feed additives did not further improve the body weights of the vaccinated birds after the NE challenge (28 dpv) compared to the vaccine alone; thus, no statistically significant differences in those parameters were found (Graphic 2).

However, the group with MCFA was the only one among those vaccinated and with a diet supplemented with additives which converted the feed more efficiently, as shown by the lower FCR in the overall period (Graphic 5).

Coccidiosis in Chickens: Body Weight Gain
Graphic 3. Body Weight

 

Coccidiosis in Chickens: Feed Conversion Ratio
Graphics 4 & 5: Feed Conversion Ratio D14-D28 vs Feed Conversion Ratio D0-D42.

 

The number of oocysts excreted in fresh faeces was counted to check the vaccination as well as the challenge performances (Graphic 6).

In fact, the oocyst count is a method routinely used as a parameter to evaluate the presence of challenge, together with the symptoms of coccidiosis in chickens.

The period between 5 and 7 dpv, and 14 dpv generally corresponded to the excretion of the vaccine’s attenuated strains during the first and second replication cycles respectively.

The vaccinated groups showed excretion of certain levels of oocysts during that period, indicating a successful vaccination process.

After the challenge (21 dpv), oocyst excretion greatly increased in the challenged groups, which was consistent with the replication of the inoculated E. maxima.

The non-vaccinated and challenged group showed the highest levels of oocyst excretion. On 28 dpv, the oocyst excretion was low in all treatments and without significant treatment effects.

 

Coccidiosis in Chickens: Oocyst Excretion
Graphic 6. Eimeria spp. oocyst excretion in faeces. Results are reported as number of oocysts per gram (OPG).

 

Preventing symptoms of coccidiosis in chickens is key in the fight against NE

In this study, vaccination with EVANT®, an attenuated coccidiosis vaccine for broilers, was shown to be able to reduce intestinal lesions associated with NE and also the symptoms of coccidiosis in chickens.

Intestinal lesions associated with C. perfringens were reduced compared to non-vaccinated birds and, as a consequence, benefits in productive performances were observed as well.

Feed conversion was improved compared to non-vaccinated birds during the critical period of the disease. The supplementation of SCFA- and PFA- based feed additives in the diet of vaccinated birds did not provide more benefits than the vaccine alone.

MCFA were shown to be able to further decrease intestinal lesion scores associated with C. perfringens than vaccination alone, and a significant improvement in the feed conversion efficacy was observed.

In conclusion, vaccination with EVANT® reduced the intestinal lesions caused by NE disease triggered by E. maxima, a predisposing diet and C. perfringens infection (Williams et al., 2003; Williams et al. 2005); therefore, it also prevented some of the productivity losses associated with the disease.

Supplementation of MCFA to the diet of vaccinated birds further reduced the intestinal lesions caused by the same NE challenge model compared to vaccination alone and improved the feed conversion of birds regardless of the NE challenge.

 

References:

  1. Williams R.B., Marshall R.N., La Ragione R.M., Catchpole J., 2003. A new method for the experimental production of necrotic enteritis and its use for studies on the relationships between necrotic enteritis, coccidiosis and anticoccidial vaccines of chickens. Parasitol Res. 90: 19-26.
  2. Williams R.B., 2005. Intercurrent coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis of chickens: rational, integrated disease management by maintenance of gut integrity. Avian Pathol. 34, 159-180.
Previous Post

Holistic approach to gut health: coccidiosis treatment or prevention based on attenuated vaccines? (Part 1)

Next Post

Experience of Eimeria vaccination in breeders and layers in Africa and the Middle East Region

Related Posts

Uniformity as a key concept when talking about coccidiosis in chickens

Uniformity as a key concept when talking about coccidiosis in chickens

23 December, 2020

In poultry production, there are multiple zootechnical parameters that are constantly evaluated in order to ensure that the full productive...

How to control Eimeria spp.? A field experience in Argentina

How to control Eimeria spp.? A field experience in Argentina

26 November, 2020

The Eimeria species that cause avian coccidiosis are present virtually everywhere in the world where there is poultry farming. However,...

Blog Categories

  • Coccidiosis in Chickens
  • Coccidiosis prevention
  • Coccidiosis Treatment
  • Eimeria
  • Eimeria Tenella
  • Oocyst
  • Symptoms of Coccidiosis in Chickens
NEWSLETTER
DON'T MISS ANY UPDATES

I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy and Basic information on Data Protection

Library

Check latests documents

Calculator

Tools to prevent Eimeria

FAQ's

Facts you should know

Next Post
Experience of Eimeria vaccination in breeders and layers in Africa and the Middle East Region

Experience of Eimeria vaccination in breeders and layers in Africa and the Middle East Region

eimeria prevention by hipra logo transparent background

Categories

  • Coccidiosis in Chickens
  • Coccidiosis Treatment
  • Eimeria
  • Eimeria Tenella
  • Oocyst

Pages

  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Library
  • Calculators
  • FAQ’s

hipra

HIPRA 2021 All rights reserved

  • COOKIES POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
Menu
  • COOKIES POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
Basic Personal Data Protection information:

Controller: LABORATORIOS HIPRA, S.A.
Purposes: Managing the contractual and/or business relationship with HIPRA, including sending news, promotions and invitations to events sponsored by HIPRA.
Lawful basis: Performance of the contractual relationship and HIPRA's legitimate Interest.
Recipients: Third parties to which HIPRA has entrusted cloud computing, security, auditing, mailing, technical and computer support services, as well as companies in its group.
Rights: Request access to and rectification or erasure of personal data and other rights as explained in the additional information. You can seeview the detailed additional information about data protection in our Privacy Policy.

For further information, please check our detailed information on Data Protection.
close-link
NEWSLETTER
DON'T MISS ANY UPDATES
Basic Personal Data Protection information:
Controller: LABORATORIOS HIPRA, S.A.
Purposes: Managing the contractual and/or business relationship with HIPRA, including sending news, promotions and invitations to events sponsored by HIPRA.
Lawful basis: Performance of the contractual relationship and HIPRA's legitimate Interest.Recipients: Third parties to which HIPRA has entrusted cloud computing, security, auditing, mailing, technical and computer support services, as well as companies in its group.
Rights: Request access to and rectification or erasure of personal data and other rights as explained in the additional information. You can seeview the detailed additional information about data protection in our Privacy Policy.

For further information, please check our detailed information on Data Protection.
I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy and Basic information on Data Protection.
cross icon to banners and popup
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Read More

Cookie settings ACCEPT
Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
Domain: undefined
Description: This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category ''Necessary''.
Duration: 1 years 1 days 1 hours

__cfduid
Domain: .freegeoip.live
Description: The cookie is used by cdn services like CloudFare to identify individual clients behind a shared IP address and apply security settings on a per-client basis. It does not correspond to any user ID in the web application and does not store any personally identifiable information.
Duration: 1 years 30 days

cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
Domain: eimeriaprevention.com
Description: This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category ''Necessary''.
Duration: 1 years 19 days 15 hours 19 minutes

cookielawinfo-checkbox-non-necessary
Domain: eimeriaprevention.com
Description: This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category ''Non-necessary''.
Duration: 1 years 19 days 15 hours 19 minutes

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

_ga
Domain: .eimeriaprevention.com
Description: This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, campaign data and keep track of site usage for the site''s analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assign a randomly generated number to identify unique visitors.
Duration: 1 years 20 days 8 hours 50 minutes

_gid
Domain: eimeriaprevention.com
Description: This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the wbsite is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages viisted in an anonymous form.
Duration: 1 years 19 days 15 hours 21 minutes

_gat
Domain: eimeriaprevention.com
Description: This cookies is installed by Google Universal Analytics to throttle the request rate to limit the colllection of data on high traffic sites.
Duration: 1 years 19 days 15 hours 19 minutes

Website for veterinarians

The contents of this website are aimed exclusively at prescribing veterinarians. By clicking on ACCEPT you state that you are a veterinary professional. In other case, please contact a veterinarian and click on DECLINE.

Accept
Decline