2. Fundamental Research for Animal Health and Welfare
Avian coccidiosis is the main intestinal parasitic disease affecting chickens, causing major economic losses. The emergence of resistance to anticoccidial drugs and the cost of vaccines mean that new therapeutic and prophylactic strategies need to be developed for coccidiosis. In this field, I am interested in parasite-host cell interactions, the physiopathology of Eimeria infection, including the immune response and the influence of the microbiota and the control of this infection (ie: pro- and prebiotics). I would like to develop a project targeting the modulation of gut microbiota in chicks for a better resistance to coccidiosis and improve the health in general.
Our team Apicomplexa and mucosal immunity belongs to the Unit Infectiology and Public Health at
the INRAE located in Centre Val de Loire. Our unit is close to the infectiology platform (PFIE), a bio-contained animal facility in which models of germ-free and gnotobiotic chickens were developed using isolators.