Are Eimeria Genetically Diverse, and Does It Matter?

Eimeria pose a risk to all livestock species as a cause of coccidiosis, reducing productivity and compromising animal welfare. Pressure to reduce drug use in the food chain makes the development of cost-effective vaccines against Eimeria essential. For novel vaccines to be successful, understanding genetic and antigenic diversity in field populations is key. Eimeria species that infect chickens are most significant, with Eimeria tenella among the best studied and most economically important. Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based haplotyping has been used to determine population structure, genotype distribution, and potential for cross-fertilization between E. tenella strains. Here, we discuss recent developments in our understanding of diversity for Eimeria in relation to its specialized life cycle, distribution across the globe, and the challenges posed to vaccine development.

• Publication year

  2017

• Venue

  Trends in Parasitology

• Publication date

  2017-03-01

• Fields of study

  Biology, Medicine, Environmental Science

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1016/j.pt.2016.08.007PMID 27593338
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

• Cryptic Eimeria genotypes are common across the southern but not northern hemisphere

  2016cited by this paper
• Comparative genomics reveals Cyclospora cayetanensis possesses coccidia-like metabolism and invasion components but unique surface antigens

  2016cited by this paper
• The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Eimeria innocua (Eimeriidae, Coccidia, Apicomplexa)

  2016cited by this paper
• Three operational taxonomic units of Eimeria are common in Nigerian chickens and may undermine effective molecular diagnosis of coccidiosis

  2016cited by this paper
• Eimeria genomics: Where are we now and where are we going?

  2015cited by this paper
• A molecular survey of Eimeria in chickens across Australia.

  2015influential reference
• RNA Seq analysis of the Eimeria tenella gametocyte transcriptome reveals clues about the molecular basis for sexual reproduction and oocyst biogenesis

  2015cited by this paper
• Cloning and sequencing of beta-tubulin and internal transcribed spacer-2 (ITS-2) of Eimeria tenella isolate from India

  2015cited by this paper
• Efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in P. falciparum

  2014cited by this paper
• The genome of Eimeria falciformis - reduction and specialization in a single host apicomplexan parasite

  2014cited by this paper
• Complete mitochondrial genome sequences from five Eimeria species (Apicomplexa; Coccidia; Eimeriidae) infecting domestic turkeys

  2014cited by this paper
• Defining a personal, allele-specific, and single-molecule long-read transcriptome

  2014cited by this paper
• Genome editing in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum using the CRISPR-Cas9 system

  2014cited by this paper
• Securing poultry production from the ever-present Eimeria challenge.

  2014cited by this paper
• Efficient Genome Engineering of Toxoplasma gondii Using CRISPR/Cas9

  2014cited by this paper
• Efficient Gene Disruption in Diverse Strains of Toxoplasma gondii Using CRISPR/CAS9

  2014cited by this paper
• Vaccination of chickens against coccidiosis ameliorates drug resistance in commercial poultry production

  2014influential reference
• Limited antigenic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum apical membrane antigen 1 supports the development of effective multi-allele vaccines

  2014cited by this paper
• Genomic analysis of the causative agents of coccidiosis in domestic chickens

  2014cited by this paper
• Milestones in avian coccidiosis research: a review.

  2014cited by this paper
• Coccidia of turkey: from isolation, characterisation and comparison to molecular phylogeny and molecular diagnostics.

  2014cited by this paper
• Biological Characteristics of Chinese Precocious Strain of Eimeria acervulina and Its Immune Efficacy Against Different Field Strains

  2014cited by this paper
• Divergent nuclear 18S rDNA paralogs in a turkey coccidium, Eimeria meleagrimitis, complicate molecular systematics and identification.

  2013cited by this paper
• Occurrence of Eimeria Species Parasites on Small-Scale Commercial Chicken Farms in Africa and Indication of Economic Profitability

  2013cited by this paper
• Escaping the immune system: How the malaria parasite makes vaccine development a challenge.

  2013cited by this paper
• Genetic structure of Plasmodium falciparum populations across the Honduras-Nicaragua border

  2013cited by this paper
• Sequencing the complete mitochondrial genome of Eimeria mitis strain USDA 50 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) suggests conserved start positions for mtCOI- and mtCOIII-coding regions

  2013cited by this paper
• A selective review of advances in coccidiosis research.

  2013cited by this paper
• Isolation, propagation, identification and comparative pathogenicity of five Egyptian field strains of Eimeria tenella from broiler chickens in five different provinces in Egypt.

  2012cited by this paper
• Mapping of poverty and likely zoonoses hotspots

  2012cited by this paper
• Defining the Antigenic Diversity of Plasmodium falciparum Apical Membrane Antigen 1 and the Requirements for a Multi-Allele Vaccine against Malaria

  2012cited by this paper
• Comparative Genomics of the Apicomplexan Parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum: Coccidia Differing in Host Range and Transmission Strategy

  2012cited by this paper
• Seasonal prevalence of coccidiosis in industrial broiler chickens in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan

  2012cited by this paper
• Population Genomic Scan for Candidate Signatures of Balancing Selection to Guide Antigen Characterization in Malaria Parasites

  2012cited by this paper
• Genetic mapping and coccidial parasites: Past achievements and future prospects

  2012cited by this paper
• Admixture and recombination among Toxoplasma gondii lineages explain global genome diversity

  2012cited by this paper
• Evaluation of the protective efficacy of the anticoccidial vaccine Coccivac-B in broilers, when challenged with Egyptian field isolates of E. tenella

  2012cited by this paper
• Identification and Characterization of Eimeria tenella Apical Membrane Antigen-1 (AMA1)

  2012cited by this paper
• Vaccines against Toxoplasma gondii: Status, challenges and future directions

  2012cited by this paper
• EmaxDB: Availability of a first draft genome sequence for the apicomplexan Eimeria maxima.

  2012cited by this paper
• Analysis of Plasmodium falciparum diversity in natural infections by deep sequencing

  2012cited by this paper
• The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Eimeria mitis (Apicomplexa: Coccidia)

  2012cited by this paper
• Globally diverse Toxoplasma gondii isolates comprise six major clades originating from a small number of distinct ancestral lineages

  2012cited by this paper
• Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genomes of five Eimeria species from domestic chickens.

  2011cited by this paper
• DNA barcoding identifies Eimeria species and contributes to the phylogenetics of coccidian parasites (Eimeriorina, Apicomplexa, Alveolata).

  2011cited by this paper
• Concatenated mitochondrial DNA of the coccidian parasite Eimeria tenella.

  2011cited by this paper
• Construction of a genetic map for Theileria parva: Identification of hotspots of recombination

  2011cited by this paper
• Genetic Mapping Identifies Novel Highly Protective Antigens for an Apicomplexan Parasite

  2011cited by this paper
• Food Security: The Challenge of Feeding 9 Billion People

  2010cited by this paper
• Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Eimeria From Turkeys and Gamebirds: Implications for Evolutionary Relationships in Galliform Birds

  2010cited by this paper
• Molecular approaches to diversity of populations of apicomplexan parasites.

  2009cited by this paper
• Proteomic comparison of four Eimeria tenella life‐cycle stages: Unsporulated oocyst, sporulated oocyst, sporozoite and second‐generation merozoite

  2009cited by this paper
• Genomic Analysis of Eimeria spp. Populations in Relation to Performance Levels of Broiler Chicken Farms in Arkansas and North Carolina

  2009cited by this paper
• The genome of the simian and human malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi

  2008cited by this paper
• Genetic characterization of three unique operational taxonomic units of Eimeria from chickens in Australia based on nuclear spacer ribosomal DNA.

  2008influential reference
• Coccidiosis in the turkey

  2008cited by this paper
• Population genetic structure of Plasmodium falciparum in the two main African vectors, Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus

  2007cited by this paper
• Challenges in the successful control of the avian coccidia.

  2007cited by this paper
• Investigating a persistent coccidiosis problem on a commercial broiler–breeder farm utilising PCR-coupled capillary electrophoresis

  2007cited by this paper
• Sequencing and analysis of chromosome 1 of Eimeria tenella reveals a unique segmental organization.

  2007cited by this paper
• Poultry coccidiosis: recent advancements in control measures and vaccine development

  2006cited by this paper
• The biology of avian Eimeria with an emphasis on their control by vaccination.

  2005cited by this paper
• Allelic polymorphisms in apical membrane antigen‐1 are responsible for evasion of antibody‐mediated inhibition in Plasmodium falciparum

  2004cited by this paper
• Parasite genetics and the immune host: recombination between antigenic types of Eimeria maxima as an entrée to the identification of protective antigens.

  2004cited by this paper
• Antigenic Diversity in Eimeria maxima and the Influence of Host Genetics and Immunization Schedule on Cross-Protective Immunity

  2002cited by this paper
• Alterations in Plasmodium falciparum genotypes during sequential infections suggest the presence of strain specific immunity.

  2002cited by this paper
• Genome sequence of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

  2002cited by this paper
• Specificity of the Protective Antibody Response to Apical Membrane Antigen 1

  2001cited by this paper
• A genetic linkage map of the apicomplexan protozoan parasite Eimeria tenella.

  2000cited by this paper
• Genetic Dissection of Primary and Secondary Responses to a Widespread Natural Pathogen of the Gut,Eimeria vermiformis

  2000cited by this paper
• Taxonomy and phylogeny of some Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) species of rodents as determined by polymerase chain reaction/restriction-fragment-length polymorphism analysis of 18S rDNA

  1999cited by this paper
• Epidemiological aspects of the use of live anticoccidial vaccines for chickens.

  1998cited by this paper
• Immunological control of Toxoplasma gondii and appropriate vaccine design.

  1996cited by this paper
• Coccidial parasites from the chicken: discrimination of different populations of Eimeria tenella by DNA hybridisation.

  1994cited by this paper
• Variation in susceptibility of inbred lines of chickens to seven species of Eimeria

  1992influential reference
• Antigenic variation among strains of Eimeria maxima and E. tenella of the chicken.

  1992cited by this paper
• Global digital datasets for land degradation studies: a GIS approach

  1991influential reference
• Enzyme variation and pathogenicity of recent field isolates of Eimeria tenella.

  1989cited by this paper
• Attenuation of Eimeria species: further characterisation of two lines of Eimeria mitis.

  1985cited by this paper
• A guide to laboratory techniques used in the study and diagnosis of avian coccidiosis.

  1976cited by this paper
• Eimeria tenella in chickens: Studies on resistance to the anticoccidial drugs monensin and lasalocid

  1976cited by this paper
• Transferred drug-resistance in Eimeria maxima

  1975cited by this paper
• Immunological variation between two strains of Eimeria acervulina

  1969cited by this paper
• COCCIDIOSIS IN GALLINACEOUS BIRDS

  1929cited by this paper
• Edinburgh Research Explorer Population, genetic, and antigenic diversity of the apicomplexan Eimeria tenella and their relevance to vaccine development

  year unknowncited by this paper

• Microscopic and Molecular Identification of Eimeria Species in Domestic Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Romania

  2025cites this paper
• Eimeria tenella apical membrane 2 overexpression enhances pathogenicity and immunity in chickens

  2025cites this paper
• Sophora flavescens Aqueous Extract Suppresses Eimeria tenella-Induced Inflammatory Responses and Regulates MAPK Pathway

  2025cites this paper
• The key glycolytic enzyme phosphofructokinase is involved in Eimeria tenella resistance to maduramycin.

  2025cites this paper
• EtSERPIN1 binding with chicken ANXA2 is essential for Eimeria tenella attachment and invasion process

  2025cites this paper
• Down-regulation of colon mucin production induced by Eimeria pragensis infection in mice

  2025cites this paper
• Conserved proteins of Eimeria and their applications to develop universal subunit vaccine against chicken coccidiosis

  2024cites this paper
• Histopathologic observations in a coccidiosis model of Eimeria tenella

  2024cites this paper
• Multicentric Study on Enteric Protists Occurrence in Zoological Parks in Portugal

  2024cites this paper
• Silymarin effectively prevents and treats Eimeria tenella infection in chicks

  2024cites this paper
• Epidemiological investigation of coccidiosis and associated risk factors in broiler chickens immunized with live anticoccidial vaccines in China

  2024cites this paper
• Host protein EPCAM interacting with EtMIC8-EGF is essential for attachment and invasion of Eimeria tenella in chickens.

  2024cites this paper
• Phylogenetic analysis of Eimeria tenella isolates from chicken of sub-tropical mountains of Meghalaya, India

  2024cites this paper
• Effects of chronic stress and intestinal inflammation on commercial poultry health and performance: A review

  2023cites this paper
• Live attenuated anticoccidial vaccines for chickens.

  2023cites this paper
• Eimeria zuernii (Eimeriidae: Coccidia): mitochondrial genome and genetic diversity in the Chinese yak

  2023cites this paper
• Exploring the genetic diversity of Eimeria acervulina: A polymerase chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) approach.

  2023cites this paper
• Deciphering Diets and Lifestyles of Prehistoric Humans through Paleoparasitology: A Review

  2023cites this paper
• Lactococcus lactis NZ3900/pNZ8149‐IL‐4‐IL‐2 as an adjuvant to reduce vaccine dose in chicken coccidia live mixed vaccine

  2023cites this paper
• Comparative transcriptome profiling of Eimeria tenella in various developmental stages and functional analysis of an ApiAP2 transcription factor exclusively expressed during sporogony

  2023cites this paper
• Phylogenetic analysis of Eimeria tenella isolated from the litter of different chicken farms in Mymensingh, Bangladesh

  2022cites this paper
• 595. Genetic diversity of Eimeria tenella apical membrane antigen 1 in chickens from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

  2022cites this paper
• Anticoccidial activity of natural plants extracts mixture against Eimeria tenella: An in vitro and in vivo study

  2022cites this paper
• Multilocus Sequence Typing of Eimeria maxima in Commercial Broiler Flocks

  2022cites this paper
• Vaccines against chicken coccidiosis with particular reference to previous decade: progress, challenges, and opportunities

  2022cites this paper
• PLGA Nanospheres as Delivery Platforms for Eimeria mitis 1a Protein: A Novel Strategy to Improve Specific Immunity

  2022cites this paper
• Eimeria proteins: order amidst disorder

  2022cites this paper
• Identification and Characterization of the ATG8, a Marker of Eimeria tenella Autophagy.

  2021cites this paper
• Prevalence of Eimeria parasites in the Hubei and Henan provinces of China

  2021cites this paper
• Exogenous nitric oxide stimulates early egress of Eimeria tenella sporozoites from primary chicken kidney cells in vitro

  2021cites this paper
• Analysis of Genetic Diversity in Indian Isolates of Rhipicephalus microplus Based on Bm86 Gene Sequence

  2021cites this paper
• Antiprotozoal and anthelmintic activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles.

  2021cites this paper
• Effects of Ibuprofen and Clopidol Alone and in Combination on Experimentally Induced Coccidiosis in Broiler Chickens

  2021cites this paper
• Diagnosis of sub-clinical coccidiosis in fast growing broiler chickens by MicroRNA profiling.

  2020cites this paper
• Recombinant ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme of Eimeria maxima induces immunogenic maturation in chicken splenic-derived dendritic cells and drives Th1 polarization in-vitro.

  2020cites this paper
• Evaluation of 4 merozoite antigens as candidate vaccines against Eimeria tenella infection

  2020cites this paper
• Comparative Analysis of Evaluation Parameters in Broiler Chickens Infected With Major Parasitic Species of Eimeria 

  2020cites this paper
• A review of adaptive immune responses to Eimeria tenella and Eimeria maxima challenge in chickens

  2020cites this paper
• Comparisons of the Sexual Cycles for the Coccidian Parasites Eimeria and Toxoplasma

  2020cites this paper
• Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from Eimeria acervulina modulates the functions of chicken dendritic cells to boost Th1 type immune response and stimulates autologous CD4+ T cells differentiation in-vitro

  2020cites this paper
• Prevalence of parasites in Alabama poultry flocks with special emphasis on Eimeria maxima

  2020cites this paper
• Autophagy induced by monensin serves as a mechanism for programmed death in Eimeria tenella.

  2020cites this paper
• Prevalence of Eimeria parasites and sulfachloropyrazine sodium resistance in chicken farms in the Hubei and Henan provinces

  2020cites this paper
• Temperature is a key factor influencing the invasion and proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii in fish cells.

  2020cites this paper
• EtMIC3 and its receptors BAG1 and ENDOUL are essential for site-specific invasion of Eimeria tenella in chickens

  2020cites this paper
• A review of Eimeria antigen identification for the development of novel anticoccidial vaccines

  2019cites this paper
• Microsatellite Analysis of Geographically Close Isolates of Cystoisospora suis

  2019cites this paper
• Emerging threat of Eimeria operational taxonomic units (OTUs) on poultry production

  2019influential citation
• Differential gene response to coccidiosis in modern fast growing and slow growing broiler genotypes.

  2019cites this paper
• Synergic in vitro combinations of artemisinin, pyrimethamine and methylene blue against Neospora caninum.

  2018cites this paper
• The impact of Eimeria tenella co-infection on Campylobacter jejuni colonisation of the chicken

  2018cites this paper
• Molecular analysis of cox-1 and 18S rRNA gene fragments of Eimeria species isolated from endangered grouse: capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and black grouse (Tetrao tetrix)

  2018cites this paper
• Impact of Eimeria tenella Coinfection on Campylobacter jejuni Colonization of the Chicken

  2018cites this paper
• Molecular Identification of Poultry Eimeria species at Live Bird Markets in River State , Nigeria .

  2018cites this paper
• Comparative transcriptome analysis of Eimeria maxima (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) suggests DNA replication activities correlating with its fecundity

  2018cites this paper
• The molecular characterization and protective efficacy of microneme 3 of Eimeria mitis in chickens.

  2018cites this paper
• Discrimination, molecular characterisation and phylogenetic comparison of porcine Eimeria spp. in India.

  2018cites this paper
• Protective immunity against Eimeria maxima induced by vaccines of Em14-3-3 antigen.

  2018cites this paper
• Effects of Eimeria tenella infection on chicken caecal microbiome diversity, exploring variation associated with severity of pathology

  2017cites this paper
• Genetic diversity and drug sensitivity studies on Eimeria tenella field isolates from Hubei Province of China

  2017cites this paper
• In vivo anticoccidial effects of Beta vulgaris (sugar beet) in broiler chickens.

  2017cites this paper
• Identification of common immunodominant antigens of Eimeria tenella, Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria maxima by immunoproteomic analysis

  2017cites this paper