Avian coccidiosis is caused by Eimeria, which is an intracellular apicomplexan parasite that
invades through the intestinal tract to cause devastating disease. Upon invasion through the
intestinal epithelial cells, a strong inflammatory response is induced that results in complete
villous destruction, diarrhea, hemorrhage, and in severe cases, death. Since the life cycle of
Eimeria parasites is complex and comprises several intra-and extracellular developmental
stages, the host immune responses are diverse and complex. Interferon-γ-mediated T helper …