Development and immunological insights into recombinant/subunit vaccines against avian coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is considered as one of the most debilitating diseases responsible for immense economic losses in commercial poultry production. Despite the development of ample number of anticoccidial drugs and vaccines, this disease still remains a major constraint for the poultry production due to emergence of anticoccidial drug resistance and associated limitations with the vaccine administration. Alternative strategies are prerequisite to lessen the effects of coccidiosis on poultry industry. The use of immunomodulators and recent improvements in the generation of recombinant vaccines appear as potential control strategies. To manage the disease, poultry scientists nowadays are interested in enhancing host immunity and promising method of coccidiosis control seems to be the development of alternative vaccination tactics, such as recombinant immunization with the proper adjuvants. Immunomodulation might offer a strong mechanism to improve the host's resistance to disease, and it appears achievable to lessen the financial burden caused by coccidiosis. This review explores and highlights the potential of recombinant/subunit vaccines, along with immunomodulators and adjuvants, as promising alternatives for the effective control of coccidiosis in poultry.