In vivo anticoccidial activity of quinfamide in broilers: a preliminary report

The aim of this trial was to evaluate the anticoccidial efficacy of quinfamide in broilers. Three different treatments were implemented over a 49-day period as follows: quinfamide; quinfamide plus carbopol and decoquinate, all prepared as small pellets and mixed with feed at a final dose of either active principle of 30 ppm. Parameters measured were: weight gain, number of oocysts shedding per gram of litter and degree of gross lesions caused by coccidia. Body weight gain was statistically greater for quinfamide and quinfamide-carbopol groups in comparison to other groups. However, only the quinfamide-carbopol group showed similar efficacy in the occyst counts as compared to the decoquinate group. Statistically significant differences were observed when intestinal lesions score were compared and the less affected group was quinfamide-carbopol. Based on these results, it is concluded that quinfamide possesses a low anticoccidial efficacy. However, this is noticeably improved when it is prepared as pellets with carbopol. The adhesion of carbopol to intestinal mucosa may influence residence time of quinfamide in the gastrointestinal tract, thus enhancing efficacy.