Eimeria Infections in Animals: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Control Strategies

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Poultry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 October 2026 | Viewed by 957

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Interests: animal nutrition; amino acids; coccidiosis; oxidative stress; intestinal health

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Guest Editor
Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
Interests: poultry science; coccidiosis; eimeria; oxidative stress

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Coccidiosis caused by Eimeria parasites poses a significant threat to animal health, welfare, and global food production. These infections affect livestock, poultry, and wildlife, leading to intestinal damage, increased susceptibility to secondary diseases, reduced productivity, and substantial economic losses. With rising concerns about drug resistance, climate-driven changes in disease dynamics, and the need for sustainable farming, advancing our understanding and control strategies for Eimeria infections are critical for both animal and human health.

This Special Issue aims to collate research on the epidemiology, risk factors, molecular mechanisms, and sustainable management of Eimeria infections. The scope includes, but is not limited to, the following topics: (1) prevalence studies and risk factors (e.g., climate, husbandry practices); (2) molecular insights into parasite biology, host interactions, and drug resistance; and (3) novel diagnostics, vaccines, and alternative therapies (e.g., phytochemicals, probiotics). We welcome original research, reviews, and case studies that help to advance our knowledge and reduce the impacts of Eimeria infections.

Dr. Guanchen Liu
Dr. Milan Sharma
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Eimeria infections
  • Eimeria epidemiology
  • coccidiosis control
  • drug resistance
  • poultry health
  • gut health
  • livestock and poultry

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

24 pages, 653 KB  
Article
A Delphi-Based Exploratory Estimation of the Economic Impact of Coccidiosis in Turkish Broiler Production
by Seyfettin Tuncel, Pınar Demir Ayvazoğlu and Yasin Parlatır
Animals 2026, 16(7), 1096; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16071096 - 2 Apr 2026
Viewed by 457
Abstract
This study provides a model-based exploratory assessment of the economic impact attributable to coccidiosis within the Turkish broiler sector. Primary data were obtained from 117 commercial enterprises (total capacity: 1,666,000 broilers) across the Mediterranean, Marmara, and Central Anatolia regions during the 2024 production [...] Read more.
This study provides a model-based exploratory assessment of the economic impact attributable to coccidiosis within the Turkish broiler sector. Primary data were obtained from 117 commercial enterprises (total capacity: 1,666,000 broilers) across the Mediterranean, Marmara, and Central Anatolia regions during the 2024 production cycle. Epidemiological analysis estimated a disease prevalence of 13% within the sampled population. The economic impact was evaluated using a stochastic modeling framework informed by Monte Carlo simulation and integrated with the Delphi method. Total national financial losses in Türkiye were estimated to reach a mean of $15.1 million in the most likely scenario (with a probabilistic range extending from $3.3 million under optimistic assumptions to $46.3 million under pessimistic conditions). The model-estimated average financial burden per animal was approximately $0.41 (representing an estimated $2.06 per clinically infected bird). Notably, projections suggest that roughly 62% of this economic impact could be attributed to subclinical factors, characterized by a modeled 5% (150 g) reduction in live weight and an estimated 8% (274 g) increase in feed consumption due to impaired Feed Conversion Ratio. The mortality rate within the modeled scenarios was calibrated at 8%. These findings suggest a substantial potential economic burden on the poultry industry. The analysis indicates that the majority of financial losses may stem from subclinical performance declines—specifically, impaired Feed Conversion Ratio and reduced growth—rather than acute mortality. These projections emphasize the urgent need for enhanced preventative strategies and subclinical monitoring to mitigate the estimated economic impact in Türkiye. Full article
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