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 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. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , which comprises viable sporulated oocysts of  Eimeria acervulina.    
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 11 , which comprises viable sporulated oocysts of  Eimeria maxima.    
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 11 , which comprises viable sporulated oocysts of  Eimeria tenella.    
     
     
         15 . The composition of any one of  claims 11 - 14 , which comprises formalin at a concentration of 0.01%. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of any one of  claims 11 - 14 , which comprises formalin at a concentration of 0.025%.