VIOLIN: Vaccine Investigation and Online Information Network

Pathogen Page

Eimeria spp.

I. General Information

1. NCBI Taxonomy ID:

2. Disease:

Coccidiosis

3. Introduction

Eimeria is characterized by spore cases that contain four spores, each with two infective sporozoites. The Eimeria lie within the family Eimeriidae. This genus has ~75% of the species within this family. and it is the most specious of the genera of the Apicomplexia with 1,700 described species. Symptoms of Eimeria infection include bloody diarrhea due to intestinal epithelium dying off since a large number of oocysts and merozoites burst out of the cells. Necrotic tissue clogs the cecum causing the organ to die.

Medications are available for the parasite; however, drug resistance is common as well as possible drug residues in the meat once the animal is butchered. Vaccines have been developed but one vaccine will only cover one species and not others. So far the best practice is to vaccinate the chicks once they hatch from the egg so they are immune for life (Wiki: Eimeria).

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