Chapman HD, Rathinam T. Focused review: The role of drug combinations for the control of coccidiosis in commercially reared chickens.
Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022;
18:32-42. [PMID:
35066424 PMCID:
PMC8789515 DOI:
10.1016/j.ijpddr.2022.01.001]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A survey of drug combinations employed by the poultry industry indicates that they have played an important role in the control of coccidiosis in chickens. The mode of action of their component drugs is described. Advantages that accrue from their use may include a reduction in potential toxicity, a broadening of their spectrum of activity against different species of Eimeria, activity against different stages of the life cycle, and improved efficacy due to synergism between component drugs. Integration of management procedures involving rotation of drug combinations with vaccination is desirable because this has been shown to result in a restoration of drug sensitivity where drug resistance is present and could contribute to the sustainable control of coccidiosis. Threats to the future use of the most widely used combinations, those that include ionophores, stem from the recent desire to eliminate antibiotics from poultry feeds.
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