Coccidiostatische

Coccidiostatische, in English coccidiostatic, is an adjective used in veterinary pharmacology to describe substances that inhibit the growth or development of coccidia, a group of intracellular protozoan parasites that cause coccidiosis in animals. Coccidiostats are intended to prevent infection or reduce disease severity rather than rapidly killing existing parasites.

Used mainly in livestock and poultry, coccidiostatische agents are often added to feed or drinking water as a preventive measure. They aim to lower oocyst shedding, minimize intestinal damage, and improve weight gain and feed efficiency. They are usually part of integrated control programs that include sanitation, proper housing, and rotation of different active ingredients.

Mechanisms vary: some agents interfere with parasite metabolism (for example by inhibiting thiamine uptake or folate synthesis), others disrupt ion transport in parasites, and some act by blocking replication. Many products are considered coccidiostats; others may be described as coccidiocidal because they kill coccidia under certain conditions. The distinction is not always strict.

Common examples used in poultry include amprolium, decoquinate, and diclazuril, and ionophore antibiotics such as monensin and lasalocid; in addition, certain sulfonamides have served as coccidiostats in various species.

Usage requires attention to withdrawal times and potential resistance. Overuse or improper rotation can reduce effectiveness and select for resistant parasite strains. Coccidiostatic strategies are typically part of a broader parasite-control plan rather than a sole remedy for established disease.