Control strategies using diclazuril against coccidiosis in goat kids

Abstract

Coccidiosis is probably the main parasitic disease affecting goat kids around the weaning period, leading to high economic losses in goat production due to deaths and delayed growth rates of infected animals. A total of 101 kids of 2-4 weeks of age, naturally infected with Eimeria spp., were divided into five groups and studies were conducted to analyse the effects of metaphylactic administration of diclazuril (Vecoxan®) on parasitological and productive parameters. Two different doses of diclazuril (1 and 2 mg/kg BW, p.o.) were given either at 3 weeks (single treatment) or at 3 and 5 weeks of life (double treatment). The faecal oocyst shedding and the body weights of the animals were monitored at 2-weeks intervals for 6 consecutive weeks. Treatments of goat kids with diclazuril were effective against the three most predominant Eimeria species recorded in this study (E. arloingi, E. ninakohlyakimovae and E. christenseni) and also against other minor species found in faecal examinations, including E. alijevi, E. caprina, E. jolchijevi, E. caprovina, E. hirci and E. aspheronica). In consequence, OPG values lower than 1 × 10(3) were detected in 90 to 100% of the animals up to 15-20 days post-treatment depending on the treatment regimen. Even a single dose of 1 mg/kg BW p.o. resulted in an increase of growth rates in treated animals and therefore should be considered as a control strategy in farms precluding coccidian infections, whilst double and multiple dose treatments could be the recommendation for environments heavily contaminated with Eimeria oocysts. In relation to the OPG reduction and increased growth rates, the severity of the clinical signs (i.e., diarrhoea) was ameliorated in treated animals during the course of infection compared to that of non-treated or control kids. The precise timing of treatment appears crucial in order to prevent severe clinical coccidiosis and thereby enabling the adequate development of protective immune response against Eimeria challenge infections.

In Vitro Anticoccidial Activity of Olive Pulp (Olea europaea L. var. Chemlal) Extract Against Eimeria Oocysts in Broiler Chickens

“…According to Peek and Landman [87], the use of Diclazuril (0.5 mg/ml) showed a significant reductive efficiency on sporulated Eimeria oocysts after 24 h of incubation compared to our results, while the sulfaquinoxaline showed a slight reduced oocysts number. Indeed, in agreement with our observations, many investigations demonstrated that the in vitro anticoccidial effect of diclazuril is high [88,89]. This difference may be attributed necessarily to pharmacological properties of drugs and their action on coccidia development.…”

Eimeria infections in goats in Southern Portugal

“…This showed that the treatment selected had failed and indicated that there was a need to improve the metaphylaxis method in order to achieve a reduction in oocyst shedding and thereby decrease the environmental contamination. As proposed by Ruiz et al (2012), on goat farms with a history of serious clinical caprine coccidiosis, precise timing of treatments using the anticoccidial drug diclazuril improves the control over coccidiosis in the farm and prevents severe clinical status (RUIZ et al, 2012).…”

“…It affects the profitability of the industry, particularly in rural, semi-arid geographic regions that are economically dependent on goat rearing, such as the Mediterranean basin (RUIZ et al, 2006), Africa (KANYARI, 1993), Asia (FAIZAL;RAJAPAKSE, 2001) and Latin America (CAVALCANTE et al, 2012). Economic losses result from the high mortality rate among goat kids, reduction of productivity and delayed weight gains of parasitized animals (LIMA, 2004;RUIZ et al, 2012).…”

“…Depending on the type of management, caprine coccidiosis might affect 100% of goat kids within the age range of 4-10 weeks, thus directly affecting animal health and the profitability of the goat industry (KOUDELA; BOKOVÁ, 1998;RUIZ et al, 2010). Eimeria-infected goat kids show clinical signs particularly during the weaning period, ranging from non-hemorrhagic to severe hemorrhagic diarrhea, with accompanying weight loss, dehydration and growth delay (KOUDELA; BOKOVÁ, 1998;RUIZ et al, 2006RUIZ et al, , 2012.…”

Targeting essential Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae sporozoite ligands for caprine host endothelial cell invasion with a phage display peptide library

“…Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae has been reported as one of the most pathogenic Eimeria species, able to produce a massive destruction of infected epithelial host cells resulting in either mild non-haemorrhagic infections (Dai et al 2006) or severe haemorrhagic typhlocolitis even with fatal outcome (Ruiz et al 2013). Goat rearing is increasing all over the world, but particularly in emerging countries (FAOSTAT 2013), so there is an urgent need for efficient control strategies to ensure that the goat market remains a solid source of meat, milk and dairy products (Ruiz et al 2012). Importantly, no new anti-coccidial drugs have been released into the market for many decades.…”