In vitro and In vivo Evaluation of Chlorhexidine Salts as Potential Alternatives to Potassium Dichromate for Eimeria maxima M6 Oocyst Preservation

Authors

Lauren Laverty, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Lesleigh C. Beer, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Kristen Martin, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Xochitl Hernandez-Velasco, National Autonomous University of Mexico
Marco A. Juarez-Estrada, National Autonomous University of Mexico
Marcela Arango-Cardona, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Aaron Forga, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Makenly E. Coles, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Christine N. Vuong, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Juan D. Latorre, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Roberto Señas-Cuesta, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Ileana Loeza, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
LaTasha Gray, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
John R. Barta, University of Guelph
Billy M. Hargis, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Guillermo Tellez-Isaias, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Brittany D. Graham, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2023

Keywords

coccidiosis; Eimeria maxima; chlorhexidine; autofluorescence; potassium dichromate

Abstract

Introduction: Coccidiosis caused by the Eimeria spp., an Apicomplexan protozoon, is a major intestinal disease that affects the poultry industry. Although most cases of coccidiosis are subclinical, Eimeria infections impair bird health and decrease overall performance, which can result in compromised welfare and major economic losses. Viable sporulated Eimeria oocysts are required for challenge studies and live coccidiosis vaccines. Potassium dichromate (PDC) is typically used as a preservative for these stocks during storage. Although effective and inexpensive, PDC is also toxic and carcinogenic. Chlorhexidine (CHX) salts may be a possible alternative, as this is a widely used disinfectant with less toxicity and no known carcinogenic associations

Methods: In vitro testing of CHX gluconate and CHX digluconate exhibited comparable oocyst integrity and viability maintenance with equivalent bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity to PDC. Subsequent use of CHX gluconate or digluconate-preserved Eimeria oocysts, cold-stored at 4°C for 5 months, as the inoculum also resulted in similar oocyst shedding and recovery rates when compared to PDC-preserved oocysts.

Results and discussion: These data show that using 0.20% CHX gluconate could be a suitable replacement for PDC. Additionally, autofluorescence was used as a method to evaluate oocyst viability. Administration of artificially aged oocysts exhibiting >99% autofluorescence from each preserved treatment resulted in no oocyst output for CHX salt groups.

Citation

Laverty, L., Beer, L. C., Martin, K., Hernandez-Velasco, X., Juarez-Estrada, M. A., Arango-Cardona, M., Forga, A., Coles, M. E., Vuong, C. N., Latorre, J. D., Señas-Cuesta, R., Loeza, I., Gray, L., Barta, J. R., Hargis, B. M., Tellez-Isaias, G., & Graham, B. D. (2023). In vitro and In vivo Evaluation of Chlorhexidine Salts as Potential Alternatives to Potassium Dichromate for Eimeria maxima M6 Oocyst Preservation. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10, 1226298. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1226298

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.