EChook News/World-leading test to fight coccidiosis

From Poultry Hub

World-leading test to fight coccidiosis

Wednesday, 5 July 2006

A Poultry CRC post-doctoral scientist, Dr. Genevieve Morris, working in a team led by Prof. Robin Gasser at the University of Melbourne, has helped to develop a world-leading test that allows quick and easy identification of Eimeria, the parasite that causes coccidiosis, one of the most common and economically important diseases affecting poultry.

Seven species of Eimeria infect poultry worldwide. A recent study estimates that the annual global impact of coccidiosis is more than US$300 million.

Poultry CRC post-doc scientist, Genevieve Morris“The fast, accurate identification of the Eimeria species present helps us investigate and control outbreaks more efficiently, and is necessary for the quality control of live vaccine production,” said Dr. Morris.

“The availability of this test places the Australian poultry industry at the forefront of the fight against this disease.”

Funded by the Poultry CRC, Prof. Gasser’s team have pioneered a molecular approach to target a specific region of the parasite’s DNA. They are now able to amplify copies of this target region and identify exactly which species of Eimeria a bird is carrying.

A specially built machine allows multiple samples to be tested simultaneously, with data stored electronically, allowing instant comparisons between samples, even those run months apart.

“Using this method we have detected all seven species of Eimeria on poultry farms in Australia,” said Dr. Morris.

“Most infected birds carry two or more species, with some individuals carrying all seven! This kind of detailed information cannot be easily obtained using traditional methods of diagnosis.”

The Australian Poultry CRC is very proud of the team’s work and the outcomes its financial support has provided for the project.