Coccidiosis in a pig herd. How to recognize the disease and limit losses?

Coccidia are protozoa, a group of very small, single-celled intestinal parasites. Moreover, they are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they must use living host cells to complete their life cycle. They have a simple, single-host life cycle and are transmitted by the fecal–oral route. The disease they cause, known as coccidiosis, is widespread among newborn piglets around the world. It occurs wherever pigs are kept indoors, and infections with these protozoa in swine herds pose a serious health and economic problem. In the past, controlling coccidiosis in piglets was difficult. Today, thanks to the availability of effective drugs, the problem can be fully controlled.

Coccidia are protozoa, a group of very small, single-celled intestinal parasites. Moreover, they are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning that they must use living host cells to complete their life cycle. They have a simple, direct life cycle involving a single host and are transmitted via the fecal–oral route. The disease they cause, known as coccidiosis, is widespread among newborn piglets around the world. It occurs wherever pigs are kept indoors, and infections with these protozoa in pig herds pose a serious ...