Antibiotic-free compositions for the prevention or control of coccidiosis

Abstract

Compositions are provided that contain sporulated coccidial oocysts, wherein the compositions are free of antibiotics and comprise formalin at a concentration sufficient to inhibit microbial growth for at least 12 months while maintaining oocyst viability. Methods of preparing such compositions are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition for the prevention or control of coccidiosis comprising viable sporulated oocysts of at least one species of protozoa known to cause coccidiosis, wherein said composition is free of antibiotics and comprises formalin at a concentration of 0.006%-0.008% such that microbial growth in the composition is inhibited for at least 12 months. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , which comprises formalin at a concentration of about 0.007%. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , which comprises formalin at a concentration of 0.007%. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of any one of  claims 1 - 3 , which comprises viable sporulated oocysts of  Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima  and  Eimeria tenella.    
     
     
         5 . The composition of any one of  claims 1 - 4 , which further comprises a diluent. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the diluent comprises water. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the aqueous diluent comprises 0.5× phosphate buffered saline. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 6 , which further comprises a buffer. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the buffer is selected from the group consisting of phosphate buffers, bicarbonate buffers, citric acid buffers and tris buffers. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the buffer controls pH between about 6.8 and about 7.8. 
     
     
         11 . A method of preparing a composition for the prevention or control of coccidiosis, the method comprising:
 preparing a composition of viable sporulated oocysts of at least one species of protozoa known to cause coccidiosis, wherein the composition further comprises a diluent and is free of antibiotics; and   adding formalin to the composition to a final concentration of 0.006%-0.008%;   wherein microbial growth in the composition is inhibited for at least 12 months.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the formalin final concentration is about 0.007%. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the formalin final concentration is 0.007%. 
     
     
         14 . The method of any one of  claims 11 - 13 , wherein the viable sporulated oocysts comprise sporulated oocysts of  Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima  and  Eimeria tenella.    
     
     
         15 . The method of any one of  claims 11 - 14 , wherein the diluent comprises water. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the aqueous diluent comprises 0.5× phosphate buffered saline. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the diluent further comprises a buffer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the buffer is selected from the group consisting of phosphate buffers, bicarbonate buffers, citric acid buffers and tris buffers. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the buffer controls pH between about 6.8 and about 7.8. 
     
     
         20 . A composition for storage of sporulated coccidial oocysts, the composition comprising viable sporulated oocysts of at least one species of protozoa known to cause coccidiosis, wherein the composition is free of antibiotics and comprises formalin at a concentration of 0.01%-0.025% such that microbial growth in the composition is inhibited for at least 12 months. 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 20 , which comprises viable sporulated oocysts of  Eimeria acervulina.    
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 20 , which comprises viable sporulated oocysts of  Eimeria maxima.    
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 20 , which comprises viable sporulated oocysts of  Eimeria tenella.    
     
     
         24 . The composition of any one of  claims 20 - 23 , which comprises formalin at a concentration of 0.01%. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of any one of  claims 20 - 23 , which comprises formalin at a concentration of 0.025%. 
     
     
         26 . A method of preparing a composition for storage of sporulated coccidial oocysts, the method comprising:
 preparing a suspension of viable sporulated oocysts of at least one species of protozoa known to cause coccidiosis, wherein the suspension is free of antibiotics; and   adding formalin to the suspension to a final concentration of 0.01%-0.025%, such that microbial growth in the composition is inhibited for at least 12 months.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the viable sporulated oocysts are  Eimeria acervulina  oocysts. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the viable sporulated oocysts are  Eimeria maxima  oocysts. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the viable sporulated oocysts are  Eimeria tenella  oocysts. 
     
     
         30 . The method of any one of  claims 26 - 29 , wherein the final concentration of formalin is 0.01%. 
     
     
         31 . The method of any one of  claims 26 - 29 , wherein the final concentration of formalin is 0.025%.