Chicken Coccidiosis in Central Java, Indonesia: A Recent Update.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• Poultry Science
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Avian coccidiosis poses a major global threat to poultry production, leading to substantial economic losses.
• Coccidiostat resistance and severe clinical signs in infected birds exacerbate the problem.
• Understanding regional disease prevalence is crucial for effective control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the current status and prevalence of avian coccidiosis in Central Java, Indonesia.
• To identify the predominant Eimeria species affecting different chicken breeds in the region.
• To assess the impact of coccidiostat usage on disease control in Indonesian poultry farms.

Main Methods:

• A total of 699 fecal samples were collected from local, broiler, and layer chickens in Central Java.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or other molecular methods were used to detect and identify Eimeria species.
• Prevalence data were analyzed based on chicken breed, clinical signs, and coccidiostat usage.

Main Results:

• Eimeria infection was detected in 25.04% of the 699 chickens sampled.
• Broiler chickens exhibited the highest infection rate (34%), followed by layers (26.26%) and local chickens (10.45%).
• Seven Eimeria species were identified, with Eimeria tenella (43.3%) being the most prevalent, and coinfections were common.

Conclusions:

• Avian coccidiosis is prevalent in Central Java, affecting all chicken breeds, with broilers being the most susceptible.
• Despite extensive coccidiostat use, infections persist, indicating potential resistance or inadequate control measures.
• Further research into resistance patterns and integrated control strategies is essential for mitigating economic losses in the poultry industry.