The role of coccidiosis control in salmonella prevention.

Researchers say that coccidiosis vaccination can reduce the cecal Salmonella load in broilers, compared to birds treated with ionophores. Broilers vaccinated for coccidiosis have lower lesion scores than do birds treated with either chemical coccidiostats or ionophores. There are nine species of coccidia that impact broilers, with E. acervulina, E. tenella and E. maxima being the most prevalent. E. tenella is primarily found in the ceca and it is the species of coccidia that seems to affect Salmonella levels in broilers the most,thus better control of E. tenella may lower Salmonella incidence in a flock at time of market. Research has shown that coccidiosis breaks in broilers associated with E. necatrix and E. tenella are associated with increases in Salmonella colonization in the bird. The E. necatrix control in breeders plays a role in helping to keep Salmonella loads on chicks low, but E. tenella control is of more importance for controlling Salmonella colonization in the broiler house. Coccidiosis vaccination is very important for a number of factors; the resistance of coccidia populations in broiler houses to both chemical coccidiostats and ionophores continues to be a growing problem with no new drugs introduced in the last few decades and vaccinating for coccidiosis reestablishes populations of susceptible strains of coccidia on broiler farms. The recent clamor for antibiotic-free production among some consumers have also increased use of coccidiosis vaccines.