Avian coccidiosis remains one of the major parasitic diseases that threaten the global poultry industry. Since prevention is superior to treatment, this study focuses on eliminating the infection outside the host. To determine their effect on the viability of Eimeria tenella oocysts in vitro, allicin and alcoholic garlic extract, which are natural, less toxic, and inexpensive products, were compared to KOH 5% (chemical disinfectant) using an in vitro culture system. Three concentrations of allicin (45, 90, and 180 mg/mL) and alcoholic garlic extract (90, 180, and 360 mg/mL, were used. Subsequently, destructive and sporulation-inhibiting effects on Eimeria oocysts were detected using light and electron microscopy. Young chickens were infected with treated sporulated oocysts to determine their effect on infectivity. After 7 days pi, the percentage of excreted oocysts (oocyst shedding) was determined, and the chickens were slaughtered for histopathological examination of the cecal tissues. Under an electron microscope, allicin at a concentration of 180 mg/mL and alcoholic garlic extract at a concentration of 360 mg/mL demonstrate a high oocysticidal activity with severe destruction of the oocyst wall and the appearance of pores. In addition, both concentrations directly affected the infectivity of sporulated oocysts by reducing the shedding of oocysts and the pathological lesions of infected young chickens. We concluded that the ability of Allicin and alcoholic garlic extract to eliminate Eimeria oocysts makes them superior to chemical disinfectants as a disinfectant.

Eimeria sp. is one of the most important parasites that cause very high economic loss in poultry farms in Egypt. It causes a disease called coccidiosis. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of Eimeria species in chicken and detection of its pathological effect within the intestinal mucosa. The present study investigate the prevalence of Eimeria sp. in chicken through fecal examination and the diagnosis was based on direct fecal sample examination (unstained wet mount technique) and concentration techniques, followed by sporulation of unsporulated oocyst for identification of Eimeria spp. and finally studying the pathological effect of this parasite in the intestinal mucosa of infected chicken. The total prevalence rate of Eimeria spp. was (66%). The incidence rate in Broiler chickens was (70%) and in Balady was (58%). The highest percent of infection was at the age of (15-30) day (54.3% in Broiler and 72.4% for Balady), and the disease was more prevalent in winter than in summer. The species that were detected are E.acovullina (the highest prevalence rate) followed by E.tenella, E.necatrix followed by E.mitis (lowest prevelance rate). These results indicate that the coccidiosis is a serious parasitic disease that effect on the poultry production in Egypt and control measures should be put in consideration to overcome this disease.