Avian coccidiosis: the administration of encapsulated oocysts.
Oocysts of fowl coccidia, suspended in a 12% aqueous solution of alginic acid, were dropped into 5% calcium chloride solution to form beads. Following ingestion by chicks, excystation of sporozoites was not affected. Oocyst viability was best when beads were air-dried to 33% of their original weight and stored in airtight containers at 4 degrees C. Infectivity was fully maintained for 8 weeks. Trickle infection, using beads administered orally to 2- or 3-week-old chickens, or mixed daily in food of chicks from 1-day-old, established a high level of immunity. This method of oocyst administration offers some practical advantages for the conduct of immunity and chemotherapy experiments.
D000464:Alginates; D000818:Animals; D002214:Capsules; D002645:Chickens / Q000469:parasitology*; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004539:Eimeria / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008297:Male; D008985:Monensin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*
D000464:Alginates; D002214:Capsules; D008985:Monensin