A. Kitandu’s research while affiliated with University of Veterinary Sciences Brno and other places

Kitandu A., R. Juranová: Progress in Control Measures for Chicken Coccidiosis. Acta Vet. Brno 2006, 75: 265-276. For many years, prophylactic use of anticoccidial drugs has been the primary means of controlling chicken coccidiosis in broiler industry and has played a major role in the growth of this industry. Also the use of live vaccines is well established in the control of the disease. Three groups of live vaccines can be distinguished based on the characteristics of the Eimeria species included in the product: vaccines based on live virulent strains, vaccines based on live attenuated strains, vaccines based on live strains that are relatively tolerant to the ionophores, and non-live subunit vaccines. The mounting problem of drug resitance of Eimeria species has prompted major research efforts to seek alternative means of control through increased knowledge of understanding the immunomodulation, natural-product feed additives, advances in live and recombinant vaccines. This article reviews the above mentioned methods in control of chicken coccidiosis. Chickens, anticoccidial drugs, vaccines, immunomodulators, Eimeria, immunity

Kitandu A., R. Juranová, I. BedáÀová:Influence of Vaccination of Hens with Attenuated Oocysts of Eimeria tenella, E. necatrix, E. acervulina and E. maxima on the Protection of Offspring against Eimeria Infection. Acta Vet. Brno 2005,74: 585-593. The feasibility of protection of offspring against Eimeria infection via maternal or passive derived immunity from hens (layers) vaccinated with attenuated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina, E. maxima, E. tenella and E. necatrix was investigated. Gross lesion scores on the basis of pathological changes and oocyst count methods were used in the experiment. Seven hens (layers) (Group A) and eighty hens (layers) (Group B) were orally vaccinated with 30,000 to 50,000 oocysts of attenuated Eimeria tenella, E. acervulina, E. maxima and 10,000 oocysts of attenuated E. necatrix. A second vaccination with the same dose was given to group B hens, and seven control hens (Group C) were not vaccinated. Offspring of three groups of hens (layers) were challenged with 10,000 oocysts of virulent lines of Eimeria tenella, E. acervulina, E. necatrix and E. maxima. Offspring of revaccinated hens showed significantly reduced lesion scores (p < 0.01) after challenge with E. tenella, E. necatrix, E. acervulina and E. maxima compared to offspring of non vaccinated hens. Offspring of vaccinated hens showed significant reduction in lesion scores (p < 0.01) with E. maxima and (p < 0.05) with E. necatrix compared to offspring of non vaccinated hens (layers). Progeny of revaccinated hens also showed reduced oocyst excretion with (0.3 ± 0.1) ×106 oocysts of E. tennella, (0.3 ± 0.1) ×10 6