A parasitic intestinal disease of poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs and other livestock, caused by host specific single celled Eimeria parasites that damage the gut lining, causing diarrhea, poor growth and, in severe cases, death. It is endemic almost everywhere livestock are raised, and in the poultry industry alone it is estimated to cost producers billions of dollars a year in treatment, prevention and lost production.
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Chicken, Livestock Coccidiosis (Eimeria spp.) is one of the most economically significant intestinal diseases of commercial chicken flocks.
Sources
1. Coccidiosis (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationOpening definition paragraph
Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of the intestinal tract of animals caused by coccidian protozoa. The disease spreads from one animal to another by contact with infected feces or ingestion of infected tissue. Diarrhea, which may become bloody in severe cases, is the primary symptom. Most animals infected with coccidia are asymptomatic, but young or immunocompromised animals may suffer severe symptoms and death.
lead description
A parasitic intestinal disease of poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs and other livestock, caused by host specific single celled Eimeria parasites that damage the gut lining, causing diarrhea, poor growth and, in severe cases, death.
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