Combating the parasite
It causes suffering in animals – and worries farmers: coccidiosis – the infestation of an animal's intestine by an aggressive parasite – can be fatal and destroy entire herds. The pathogens are extremely resistant – a real challenge, also for research.
Parasites attack the intestine
Coccidiosis is an insidious disease. And a dangerous one. The coccidia, small single-cell parasites, are ingested orally by the animals. They settle, grow and reproduce in the villi of the intestine, damaging the surface of the intestinal lining. The consequence is diarrhea with bleeding, leading to weakness, loss of weight, even anemia; in the worst cases the disease can be fatal.
All kinds of animals can be affected
Coccidiosis can occur in all kinds of animals. However, the disease is particularly dangerous in intensive stock rearing – for example among pigs, cattle or poultry. Once one animal is infected, the disease can rapidly spread to the whole herd. This then also becomes an economic problem for the farmer.
Long history of research
Coccidia are extremely robust and resistant to commonly used disinfectants. Therapy therefore has to be equally tough. The disease was first treated about 60 years ago: sulphonamides were the method of choice at that time. Preparations using substances from other chemical categories followed. Finally, Bayer launched the active agent Toltrazuril in 1986; today, this preparation is licensed under the name Baycox in about 40 countries.
Effectively combating parasites
The special feature of this active agent is that it combats all intracellular stages of development of the coccidia – for example, it even acts on the parasite after it has settled in the intestinal villi. Furthermore, the animals' natural immunization is maintained despite the treatment. Infected animals thus develop antibodies that protect them from re-infection. In concrete terms, the active agent disrupts the pathogen's cell division and metabolism.
Protection for poultry, pigs and cattle
Bayer launched a product for poultry as long as 20 years ago; a preparation was licensed for pigs in 2000, and another for cattle this year. The company is also seeking approval for a product to treat lambs in various European countries.
Advice for patients
Every body reacts differently to medicines. Therefore it is impossible to tell which medicine works best for your animal. Please consult your veterinary.
