Control of Coccidiosis and Necrotic Enteritis - Greg Mathis

Many thanks Dr Lopes. Please what do you think about the use of both pre and probiotics in the prophylaxis rather than curative in the control of both coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis ? These would help to a greater extent if flocks are started on these earlier in their lives.

Emmanuel Nwaotule
Dear Emmanuel, thank you for your message.

Although this discussion refers to two diseases, that is, coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis, there are some aspects to be taken into account: coccidiosis is one of the leading factors to necrotic enteritis but necrotic enteritis is not a leading factor to coccidiosis. That means that a good control of coccidiosis will diminish necrotic enteritis challenge but controlling necrotic enteritis is not expected to drop coccidiosis challenge.

I had already made a summary of my thoughts about coccidiosis control and drug rotation. I said that one needs to consider the difference among vertical and horizontal drugs (chemicals and ionophores) which are act differently, are not sensitive to a same degree of resistance and cannot be considered under a same approach, so now let´s focus on necrotic enteritis.

Of course that litter management, vaccination against some viral diseases such as IBD, Marek and so on, and good husbandry practices are important. But frequently they are not enough as seen in the USA and Europe.

So far the best way to control NE is through the use of some of the so-called antibiotic growth promotants or AGPs. Although not as much as effective as the AGPs, ionophore anticoccidials (but not chemical anticoccidials) also have a significant degree of efficay in preventing necrotic enteritis. It is interesting, not to say quite strange that even after agreeing that some of these drugs are safe, some Countries don´t allow the use of any AGPs. After passing through independent studies, drugs such as BMD, Virginiamycin and Zinc Bacitracin have been granted with Maximum Residue Limits -LMR- by regulatory Authorities like the European EMA, the APVMA from Australia, the Japanese Authority, Candian FDA, US FDA and many others. A MRL means that a drug has gone through a series of independent studies which proved that they represent no risk of any kind for humans, including the possibility of transmiting resistance.

But let´s talk about probiotics and prebiotics. Regarding the use of those products but specially probiotics they enhance intestinal health and may compete against clostridium. The outcome of a better intestinal condition is that clostridium will be less capable to start colonising the intestinal tract and less cases of necrotic enteritis will be observed.

I see that you are from Belgium, where AGPs are not allowed therefore the use of probiotics and also acidifiers (clostridium live and reproduce better in alcaline environments) seem to be a good option to drop the incidence of necrotic enteritis.

Best regards,

Cesar A. Lopes

Thanks for contributing to the conversation!

Your last point regarding acidifiers is a good one, and one I'm not sure most people are aware of. The general model of NE as Coccidia lesions + Clostridium infection of the lesions suggests that control of Clostridium can reduce the incidence and severity of NE, even if overall coccidia load is unchanged. While acidification is an older topic in Europe, it is still a relatively new topic in other markets such as the US, where Coccidia and NE are still significant economic problems.

Cesar A. Lopes thanks a lot for the information

Joshua Jendza please throw more light on acidification

Thank you sir

Coccidia and clostridiums are ubiquitous in the environment where poultry are present. Proper vaccination, Farm sanitation especially litter management and ionophore rotation are essential in the control of this diseases. Any stressful changes (wether be it a disease, poor farm management, nutrition etc) that may affect the normal microbiota of birds may result in enteritis.

Thank you so much for this explanation Dr Lopes. No I am a Nigerian not a Belgian but I am representing a Belgian company here in Nigeria. My discussions are based on my NIGERIAN livestock field experiences. Many thanks again and cheers.

What are the best organic acids for controlling of clostridium?

Of practical importance in different countries?
In Egypt the most important are butyric acid, acidic acid and lactic acid .

What is the mode of action of butyric acid on coccidiosis?

Thank you very much sir, for your explanation we are very greatful sir

Bangladesh is a country of expanding poultry industry by open house shed. Most of them are concrete, semi-concrete and mud floor and affected by coccidiosis frequently, farmers are very much loosing economically. No feed company still perform successful anticiccidial Protocol. Seasonal variation also big factors for loosing specially in hot & humid environment from February to May in each year by several viral and bacterial diseases outbreaks with coccidisis(E.acervulina, maxima and tenella) and nectrotic enteritis. What would be the suggestions for control of coccidiosis?