Use of live oocyst vaccines in the control of avian coccidiosis: experimental studies and field trials

• Published in: International journal for parasitology Vol. 28; no. 7; pp. 1099 - 1109
• Main Author: Danforth, H.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-07-1998
• Subjects: Animals; Anticoccidials; Coccidia; Coccidiosis - prevention & control; Coccidiosis - veterinary; Coccidiostats - therapeutic use; Drug Delivery Systems; Eimeria - immunology; Female; Immunity; Immunocompetence; Male; Oocyst; Poultry; Poultry Diseases - prevention & control; Protozoan Vaccines - administration & dosage; Sex Factors; Vaccination; Vaccination - methods; Vaccination - veterinary; Vaccines, Attenuated - administration & dosage; Anticoccidials; Coccidia; Poultry; Immunity; Vaccination; Oocyst
• ISSN: 0020-7519; 1879-0135
• DOI: 10.1016/S0020-7519(98)00078-2

Areas addressed in this study on the use of live oocyst vaccines to control coccidiosis include: the influence of immunocompetency of the strains and sex of the birds used; methods of delivery of vaccine; immunological variation between different strains of the same coccidial species; and the effects of combining vaccine with anticoccidial medication. The results show that vaccination with live oocysts elicited significant protection against coccidiosis, both with exper imentally induced and naturally acquired coccidial infection, resulting in average bird weight gains and feed effciency similar to that obtained with conventional anticoccidial medication.