Early coccidial cycling could help control feed costs
Evaluation of coccidial-infection levels among flocks in the US shows that coccidiosis vaccination induces early and mild coccidial cycling — an especially relevant finding considering the soaring cost of feed, Dr. Matilde Alfonso said.

Synchronized coccidiosis control, management yield better broiler results
Performance in broiler flocks can be improved by coordinating the coccidiosiscontrol program with management practices, Dr. Linnea Newman said.

Immunity develops earlier in turkeys vaccinated for coccidiosis
Development of immunity against coccidiosis in turkeys varies markedly with the type of control program and appears to start earliest in birds that are vaccinated against the disease, reported Dr. John Radu, a technical service veterinarian with Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health.

Nutritionist: Aim for lowest coccidiosis-lesion score
Poultry producers should aim for the lowest possible coccidiosis-lesion score in their broilers to maintain optimum performance, according to Dr. Robert Teeter, a nutritionist at Oklahoma State University.

Monitoring coccidiosis patterns can improve bird performance, profits
Producers looking for ways to improve bird performance and their bottom lines were advised to put more emphasis on routine monitoring of coccidial patterns in their flocks.

Antibody recognizes antigen in NE lesions
Astudy using immunohistochemistry to demonstrate alpha-toxin in intestinal lesions of necrotic enteritis clearly showed that antibody raised against the alpha-toxoid in Netvax recognized antigens in the NE lesions, according to Dr. Joan Schrader, a scientist with Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health. The alpha-toxin was also detected using a commercially available monoclonal antibody teststrip kit.

Banking on Experience
No one ever said producing broilers in Sussex County, Delaware, would be easy. Between extremes in the weather and a dense bird population — over 200 million produced annually within 938 square miles, more than any other county in the nation — birds are highly susceptible to disease.

Late coccidial cycling, dermatitis linked
Gangrenous dermatitis, a subcutaneous infection in poultry that’s often due to clostridial organisms, is topping the list of health problems at some US poultry companies.

Tips for successful coccidiosis vaccination
Successful coccidiosis vaccination depends on good brooding management as well as proper administration of the vaccine in the hatchery at 1 day of age, says Dr. Matilde Alfonso, a technical service veterinarian with Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health.

NE vaccine trials in Europe
Two clinical field trials conducted in Europe demonstrated that vaccination of hens with a Clostridium perfringens type A toxoid, or necrotic enteritis (NE) vaccine, prevented development of NE in broiler progeny, reported Dr. Luciano Gobbi, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health’s technical manager for poultry, Italy.

Vaccine lowers NE risk in ‘real-world’ conditions
A trial in the US designed to test the Clostridium perfringens type A toxoid vaccine under real-world conditions demonstrated that the vaccine lowers the risk for NE mortality, according to Dr. Charlie Broussard, a veterinarian with Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health.

Role of diet in NE questioned
During a lively interchange between panel members and the audience, session chairman Dr. Peter Scott said he has been surprised at the higher prevalence of NE in North America compared to Australia, where the diet for broilers is wheat-based. Wheat-based diets have been linked to a higher prevalence of NE.

Alpha-toxin a ‘primary player’
In a discussion on the mechanisms of protection conferred by the Clostridium perfringens type A toxoid vaccine, Broussard confirmed that there is more to be discovered about why and how the vaccine triggers immunity.

Antibody recognizes antigen in NE lesions
Astudy using immunohistochemistry to demonstrate alpha-toxin in intestinal lesions of necrotic enteritis clearly showed that antibody raised against the alpha-toxoid in a Clostridium perfringens type A toxoid vaccine recognized antigens in the NE lesions, according to Dr. Joan Schrader, a scientist with Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health.

Getting a grip
Why are researchers investigating the role of alpha-toxin in the development of necrotic enteritis? Two scientists share insights from studies that could impact the management of NE, a serious and costly disease.

Moscow
VIVEurope 2008 in Moscow provided an opportunity to incorporate the emerging Eastern European market into the biannual livestock and poultry trade show. Of the more than 5,500 visitors from 70 countries who attended, many were from the Ukraine and Belarus and most represented poultry farms.

Flavored feed has potential
Flavored chicken feed might provide a way to improve management of broilers and layers, says B.L. Damron, of the Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, University of Florida.

Multimedia tool helps producers ensure best broiler diet, growth
An interactive educational program designed to help broiler operators ensure optimal coccidiosis control and maximum growth potential has been developed by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health.

Vaccine project targets E. coli, salmonella
The old adage that “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” may apply to a new vaccine project underway at Arizona State University, reports thepoultrysite.com.

NE strains of C. perfringens are mighty gut warriors
Strains of Clostridium perfringens that cause necrotic enteritis (NE) replace C. perfringens strains that do not cause the disease — and also battle against one another in the chicken gut — indicates research that could eventually lead to improved understanding and better management of NE.

Performance influenced by diet in coccidiosis-vaccinated broiler breeders
Integrators rearing replacement broiler breeders should take into account the finding that early flock performance can be influenced by dietary composition, depending on the genetic line and gender, Leslee A. Oden, of Texas A&M University, said at the American Association of Avian Pathologists annual meeting held last July.

Surveys indicate increase in coccidiosis-infected flocks
Two extensive surveys conducted in Norway indicate the incidence of coccidia-infected broiler flocks has increased from 42% to 76% during a 3-year period.