Coccidiosis
Coccidiosis is an infection of intestinal epithelium caused by protozoan parasite of family Eimeriidae.
All livestock species, as well as wild animals, can be infected. Coccidiosis is especially prevalent when birds or mammals are grouped together. Coccidia oocysts are highly resistant to environment conditions, and disinfectants, making coccidiosis control difficult.
Coccidiosis is characterized by an invasion of the intestinal wall by the Coccidia parasite. The parasite then goes through several stages of growth and multiplication, during which damage occurs to the mucosal and submucosal tissues of the intestine.
Depending on the Coccidia strain involved and the animal species affected, the disease complexes can range from subclinical infections to infections that include severe intestinal problems with severe lesions in the gastrointestinal tract, to diarrhea that can result in high mortality and/or a negative impact on the factors of production.