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Pathogens
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Research on Coccidian Parasites in Livestock
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Research on Coccidian Parasites in Livestock

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Parasitic Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2023) | Viewed by 11436

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Heather Fritz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
Interests: coccidiosis; livestock; drug resistance; Eimeria

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Coccidiosis is a major health concern among livestock animals. In ruminants, coccidiosis is caused by a variety of host-specific Eimeria species and may cause mild to severe enteric disease, leading to morbidity and mortality, particularly in young animals. The environmentally excreted and infective oocyst stage is extremely stable in the environment, creating to a risk for environmental accumulation that facilitates the ongoing exposure and transmission through the fecal–oral route.  

Anticoccidial drugs used prophylactically and metaphylactically for treatment, along with management practices to reduce infections, are widely implemented as a strategy to control coccidiosis in herds. Drug resistance to anticoccidial drugs among the Eimeria species that causes disease in poultry is well-described and widespread. Emerging data suggest that there may be a risk for resistance among the Eimeria species found in small ruminants to drugs widely used to treat all livestock species.

To address this economically important and widespread disease among livestock species, additional information is needed, including, but not limited to, the following: the prevalence of different Eimeria species across animal hosts and production types and their contribution to disease; identification of risk factors that would provide a framework for recommended management or husbandry practices; detection and characterization of emerging drug resistance; and alternative interventions to mitigate disease.

Dr. Heather Fritz
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • coccidiosis
  • livestock
  • drug resistance
  • Eimeria
  • anticoccidial drugs

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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6 pages, 439 KiB  
Communication
A Study of Cross-Protection between Eimeria maxima Immunovariants
by Mark C. Jenkins, Celia N. O'Brien, Carolyn C. Parker and Matthew S. Tucker
Pathogens 2024, 13(1), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13010066 - 9 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1531
Abstract
For reasons unknown, Eimeria maxima is unique among Eimeria species infecting chickens in the immunovariability it displays among isolates from different geographical areas. Eimeria maxima oocysts (named EmaxAPU3) were isolated late in grow-out (6 weeks) from litter in a commercial broiler operation that [...] Read more.
For reasons unknown, Eimeria maxima is unique among Eimeria species infecting chickens in the immunovariability it displays among isolates from different geographical areas. Eimeria maxima oocysts (named EmaxAPU3) were isolated late in grow-out (6 weeks) from litter in a commercial broiler operation that was using Eimeria vaccination as the coccidiosis control program. Cross-protection studies (n = 4) were conducted in immunologically naïve chickens between EmaxAPU3 and two E. maxima lab strains (EmaxAPU1, EmaxAPU2) by immunizing with one E. maxima strain and challenging with either the homologous or heterologous E. maxima. As measured by oocyst output, immunization with EmaxAPU1 protected against homologous challenge (EmaxAPU1) and against heterologous challenge with EmaxAPU3, but not against EmaxAPU2. Similarly, immunization with EmaxAPU3 protected against homologous challenge (EmaxAPU3) and against heterologous challenge with EmaxAPU1, but not against EmaxAPU2. Immunization of chickens with EmaxAPU2 elicited a protective response against homologous challenge (EmaxAPU2), but not against EmaxAPU1 nor EmaxAPU3. The most plausible explanation for the appearance of this immunovariant late in grow-out is that E. maxima APU3 escaped immunity directed to E. maxima antigenic types in the commercial vaccine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Coccidian Parasites in Livestock)
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16 pages, 1581 KiB  
Article
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Eimeria spp. in Broiler Chickens from Pichincha and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador
by Ana Cevallos-Gordon, C. Alfonso Molina, Nilda Radman, Lenin Ron and María Ines Gamboa
Pathogens 2024, 13(1), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13010048 - 4 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1568
Abstract
Coccidiosis in chickens is a parasitic disease of economic importance for the poultry industry. In Ecuador, there is limited information regarding the prevalence of Eimeria spp. on commercial broiler farms. Therefore, a total of 155 poultry farms in the provinces of Pichincha and [...] Read more.
Coccidiosis in chickens is a parasitic disease of economic importance for the poultry industry. In Ecuador, there is limited information regarding the prevalence of Eimeria spp. on commercial broiler farms. Therefore, a total of 155 poultry farms in the provinces of Pichincha and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas were surveyed. The analysis of fresh fecal samples was conducted to determine the parasitic load of six of the seven chicken Eimeria species (excluding E. mitis) through multiplex PCR. Additionally, an epidemiological survey was performed to assess the risk factors associated with the infection using a multivariable logistic regression model. All samples tested positive for the presence of Eimeria spp., despite the farmers having implemented prophylactic measures, and no clinical coccidiosis cases were recorded. The parasitic load varied between 25 and 69,900 oocyst per gram. The species prevalence was as follows: Eimeria spp. 100%, E. maxima 80.4%, E. acervulina 70.6%, E. praecox 55.4%, E. tenella 53.6%, E. necatrix 52.2%, and E. brunetti 30.8%. The main species combination was E. cervuline, E. maxima, E. necatrix, and E. praecox (23.90%), followed by E. tenella, as a unique species (10.69%), and then E. acervulina, E. maxima, and E. praecox (8.81%). It was observed that farms operated by independent producers had a higher amount of Eimeria spp. and higher probability of the presence of E. brunetti, E. necatrix, E. praecox, and E. tenella. Poultry houses located below 1300 m above sea level were associated with a higher parasitic load and the presence of E. brunetti. Birds younger than 35 days of age and from open-sided poultry houses (with rudimentary environmental control) had a higher probability of presenting E. maxima. Drinking water from wells increased the risk of E. praecox presence. Research aimed at designing control strategies to improve health management on poultry farms in the region would help minimize the impact of coccidiosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Coccidian Parasites in Livestock)
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38 pages, 2433 KiB  
Article
RNA-Seq of Phenotypically Distinct Eimeria maxima Strains Reveals Coordinated and Contrasting Maturation and Shared Sporogonic Biomarkers with Eimeria acervulina
by Matthew S. Tucker, Celia N. O’Brien, Alexis N. Johnson, Jitender P. Dubey, Benjamin M. Rosenthal and Mark C. Jenkins
Pathogens 2024, 13(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13010002 - 19 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2277
Abstract
Strains of Eimeria maxima, an enteric parasite of poultry, vary in virulence. Here, we performed microscopy and RNA sequencing on oocysts of strains APU-1 (which exhibits more virulence) and APU-2. Although each underwent parallel development, APU-1 initially approached maturation more slowly. Each [...] Read more.
Strains of Eimeria maxima, an enteric parasite of poultry, vary in virulence. Here, we performed microscopy and RNA sequencing on oocysts of strains APU-1 (which exhibits more virulence) and APU-2. Although each underwent parallel development, APU-1 initially approached maturation more slowly. Each strain sporulated by hour 36; their gene expression diverged somewhat thereafter. Candidate biomarkers of viability included 58 genes contributing at least 1000 Transcripts Per Million throughout sporulation, such as cation-transporting ATPases and zinc finger domain-containing proteins. Many genes resemble constitutively expressed genes also important to Eimeria acervulina. Throughout sporulation, the expression of only a few genes differed between strains; these included cyclophilin A, EF-1α, and surface antigens (SAGs). Mature and immature oocysts uniquely differentially express certain genes, such as an X-Pro dipeptidyl-peptidase domain-containing protein in immature oocysts and a profilin in mature oocysts. The immature oocysts of each strain expressed more phosphoserine aminotransferase and the mature oocysts expressed more SAGs and microneme proteins. These data illuminate processes influencing sporulation in Eimeria and related genera, such as Cyclospora, and identify biological processes which may differentiate them. Drivers of development and senescence may provide tools to assess the viability of oocysts, which would greatly benefit the poultry industry and food safety applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Coccidian Parasites in Livestock)
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13 pages, 1383 KiB  
Article
The In Vitro Anticoccidial Activity of Some Herbal Extracts against Eimeria spp. Oocysts Isolated from Piglets
by Mihai-Horia Bǎieş, Adriana Györke, Vlad-Dan Cotuţiu, Zsolt Boros, Anamaria Cozma-Petruț, Lorena Filip, Laurian Vlase, Ana-Maria Vlase, Gianina Crişan, Marina Spînu and Vasile Cozma
Pathogens 2023, 12(2), 258; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12020258 - 6 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3029
Abstract
Coccidiosis in pigs seldom results in important economic losses. However, it can influence growth rates in weaners and it is an important hygiene indicator in swine farms. Certain herbs, along with their extracts, have been used over the course of history in traditional [...] Read more.
Coccidiosis in pigs seldom results in important economic losses. However, it can influence growth rates in weaners and it is an important hygiene indicator in swine farms. Certain herbs, along with their extracts, have been used over the course of history in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anticoccidial effects of Allium sativum L. (garlic), Artemisia absinthium L. (wormwood), Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander), Cucurbita pepo L. (pumpkin), Satureja hortensis L. (summer savory), and Calendula officinalis L. (marigold) against Eimeria suis and Eimeria debliecki oocysts. The stock solution of oocysts (58% E. suis + 42% E. debliecki) was incubated for three days, before adding the tested solutions. The unsporulated Eimeria spp. oocysts were then placed in a 3 mL well plate and incubated for 96 h at 27 °C, in a suspension containing serial dilutions of alcoholic plant extracts (5%, 2.5%, 1.25%, 0.625%, and 0.312%). The percentage of sporulated and destroyed oocysts was recorded every 24 h for 96 h. All extracts had a good in vitro anticoccidial effect against oocysts of Eimeria spp. compared with the control groups. Oocyst sporulation was significantly (p = 0.05) inhibited by the 5% marigold extract (3.6% sporulated oocysts). The same extract had the highest lytic effect on oocysts (65.2% destroyed oocysts). Our results prove that the most effective alcoholic plant extract is the marigold extract, followed, in order of efficiency, by the wormwood, coriander, garlic, pumpkin, and summer savory extracts. This study represents a preliminary contribution for establishing a new generation of natural disinfectants aimed at destroying Eimeria oocysts in the context of swine contamination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Coccidian Parasites in Livestock)
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Review

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29 pages, 2143 KiB  
Review
Proteomics Applications in Toxoplasma gondii: Unveiling the Host–Parasite Interactions and Therapeutic Target Discovery
by Bin Deng, Laura Vanagas, Andres M. Alonso and Sergio O. Angel
Pathogens 2024, 13(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13010033 - 29 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2426
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite with the ability to infect various warm-blooded vertebrates, including humans, is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. This infection poses significant risks, leading to severe complications in immunocompromised individuals and potentially affecting the fetus through congenital transmission. A [...] Read more.
Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite with the ability to infect various warm-blooded vertebrates, including humans, is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. This infection poses significant risks, leading to severe complications in immunocompromised individuals and potentially affecting the fetus through congenital transmission. A comprehensive understanding of the intricate molecular interactions between T. gondii and its host is pivotal for the development of effective therapeutic strategies. This review emphasizes the crucial role of proteomics in T. gondii research, with a specific focus on host–parasite interactions, post-translational modifications (PTMs), PTM crosstalk, and ongoing efforts in drug discovery. Additionally, we provide an overview of recent advancements in proteomics techniques, encompassing interactome sample preparation methods such as BioID (BirA*-mediated proximity-dependent biotin identification), APEX (ascorbate peroxidase-mediated proximity labeling), and Y2H (yeast two hybrid), as well as various proteomics approaches, including single-cell analysis, DIA (data-independent acquisition), targeted, top-down, and plasma proteomics. Furthermore, we discuss bioinformatics and the integration of proteomics with other omics technologies, highlighting its potential in unraveling the intricate mechanisms of T. gondii pathogenesis and identifying novel therapeutic targets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Coccidian Parasites in Livestock)
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