SBIR Phase 2: Determination of best candidates for novel orally delivered therapeutic candidates to combat spread of coccidiosis in poultry

Avian coccidiosis threatens poultry production worldwide. At this time, there are multiple means of preventing coccidiosis, each of which are not sufficient to completely control the disease without complications. Flock management entails a costly process of moving birds from place to place, rigorously cleaning pens, etc., in an effort to remove virulent forms of shedding. However, this means is expensive and unavailable to many producers based on their locations. A second form of prevention is the use of live viral vaccines. However, these vaccines produce sub-disease like symptoms in the poultry, reducing feed conversion and thus processing weight. A third preventive means is the use of prophylactic antibiotics, which may result in antimicrobial resistant strains of virulence. This research program evaluates two novel vaccine candidates that protect the poultry from coccidiosis while using a non-viral approach that does not infect the birds. A second major consideration is that these vaccine candidates will be delivered orally to the poultry, making application of the vaccines less costly and time consuming. A positive result will allow the implementation of a new way to prevent coccidiosis in poultry while reducing the use of viral vaccines or antibiotics.