abstract |
An oral vaccine against parasitic protozoa, such as coccidia, comprises live encysted protozoa embedded in a firm gel matrix from which the protozoa are released following ingestion by a host. The gel matrix helps to maintain the essential viability of the protozoa without seriously hindering the natural mechanism by which they infect their host. Preferably the gel matrix is based on alginate. Alginate beadlets containing viable sporulated coccidia oocysts, for administration to poultry, are a preferred feature. |