Robenidine resistance in Eimeria tenella

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• Poultry Health
• Antiparasitic Drug Resistance

Background:

• Coccidiosis is a significant parasitic disease in chickens.
• Anticoccidial drugs are crucial for poultry production.
• Emerging drug resistance poses a threat to effective disease control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of robenidine against coccidiosis in chickens.
• To investigate potential cross-resistance between robenidine and other anticoccidials.
• To determine if resistance to robenidine can develop.

Main Methods:

• Chickens were infected with Eimeria tenella strains.
• Robenidine efficacy was tested against drug-naive parasite strains.
• Cross-resistance was assessed using multiple drug-resistant parasite strains.
• Robenidine resistance was experimentally induced through serial propagation.

Main Results:

• Robenidine demonstrated protective effects against cecal coccidiosis.
• No cross-resistance was observed between robenidine and 13 other anticoccidial drugs.
• Chickens infected with a robenidine-adapted Eimeria tenella strain developed resistance to robenidine.
• This resistant strain showed no cross-resistance to 12 other anticoccidials.

Conclusions:

• Robenidine is an effective anticoccidial agent.
• It offers a valuable option due to a lack of cross-resistance with existing drugs.
• Development of robenidine resistance is possible, necessitating careful management and monitoring.