Coccidian Parasites: Epidemiology, Control and Prevention Strategies
A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Clinical Studies".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 29 July 2025 | Viewed by 407
Special Issue Editors
Interests: poultry cocidia; coccidian vaccines; poultry immunity; wildlife animals parasites
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Coccidian parasites are a group of protozoan parasites belonging to the subclass Coccidia within the phylum Apicomplexa. They primarily infect the intestinal tract of their hosts, which can include a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and humans. They are strictly host-specific and are characterized by their monoxenous life cycle. After endogenous development, oocysts are excreted into the environment, where they mature into the infective stage. Due to their widespread distribution in populations of many different animal species, they are considered of great veterinary importance.
Young animals are primarily affected by high parasite burdens, and the replication of intracellular parasites results in pathology and the development of coccidiosis as a clinical disease. Coccidia infection can be detected by identifying oocysts in fecal samples and can be subsequently differentiated based on oocyst morphology. Prevention is based on reducing infection pressure through cleaning and disinfection measures, vaccination, and preventive drug treatment. Understanding the epidemiology of coccidian parasites is critical for developing effective control and prevention strategies. Research is ongoing to find new treatments, improve vaccines, and refine control measures to mitigate the impact of these parasites on both animal and human health. Enhanced surveillance, education, and best management practices are vital components in addressing the challenges posed by coccidian parasites.
This Special Issue aims to compile research and reviews on various aspects of coccidian parasites, including but not limited to the molecular epidemiology of coccidian parasites in different host species, new risk factors contributing to the spread of coccidian infections, host–parasite interactions and co-evolution, advances in diagnostic techniques for coccidian infections, gold-standard methods of controlling coccidian infections in animal husbandry, environmental management strategies to reduce the transmission of coccidian oocysts, novel therapeutic agents, and approaches to control and prevent coccidian infections.
I look forward to receiving your contributions.
Prof. Dr. Guangwen Yin
Dr. Sixin Zhang
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- coccidian
- prevalence
- epidemiology
- risk Factors
- prevention
- control strategies
- vaccination
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