Coccidiostat

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Coccidiostat is a type of antibiotic that is used to control coccidiosis, a parasitic disease in animals. Coccidiostats are commonly used in poultry production, but can also be used in other livestock animals.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Coccidiosis is a disease caused by the parasite Eimeria. This parasite infects the intestinal tracts of animals, causing damage and potentially leading to death. Coccidiostats are used to control the spread of this disease by inhibiting the growth and reproduction of the parasite.

Types of Coccidiostats[edit | edit source]

There are several types of coccidiostats, including ionophores, chemical coccidiostats, and natural coccidiostats. Each type works in a slightly different way to control the Eimeria parasite.

Ionophores[edit | edit source]

Ionophores are a type of coccidiostat that work by disrupting the balance of ions within the parasite's cells. This causes the cells to swell and eventually burst, killing the parasite.

Chemical Coccidiostats[edit | edit source]

Chemical coccidiostats work by interfering with the parasite's ability to reproduce. They do this by inhibiting the synthesis of DNA and RNA, which are necessary for the parasite to reproduce.

Natural Coccidiostats[edit | edit source]

Natural coccidiostats are derived from plants and other natural sources. They work in a variety of ways to control the Eimeria parasite, including by boosting the animal's immune system and by directly killing the parasite.

Use in Poultry Production[edit | edit source]

Coccidiostats are commonly used in poultry production to control coccidiosis. They are typically added to the birds' feed or water. The use of coccidiostats in poultry production has been controversial, however, due to concerns about the development of antibiotic resistance and the potential for residues to remain in the meat.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Coccidiostat Resources
Doctor showing form.jpg
Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD