Preventive and therapeutic efficacy of a pyrazole-modified chitosan Schiff base–iron nanocomposite against Eimeria tenella in broiler chickens: A nanotechnology-based approach to coccidiosis control

Background and Aim: Coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria tenella, is a significant parasitic disease affecting poultry, resulting in severe intestinal damage and substantial economic losses. The increasing resistance to conventional anticoccidial drugs necessitates novel therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to synthesize and characterize a pyrazole-modified chitosan Schiff base–iron nanocomposite (ChSB-FeNPs) and evaluate its prophylactic and therapeutic effects against E. tenella in experimentally infected broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: ChSB-FeNPs were synthesized by incorporating iron nanoparticles into a pyrazole-modified chitosan Schiff base matrix and characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscope (TEM) techniques. Sixty broiler chicks were randomly assigned to six groups: Uninfected controls, prophylactic and therapeutic ChSB-FeNPs treatments, and a standard amprolium treat-ment. Birds were infected with E. tenella and monitored over 28 days. Clinical signs, survival, body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), oocyst counts, lesion scores, liver enzyme activities (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase), lipid profiles (low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein), and histopathological changes were assessed. Results: ChSB-FeNPs-treated groups (both prophylactic and therapeutic) showed significantly reduced oocyst output, lesion scores, liver enzyme elevations, and histopathological damage compared to infected untreated controls. Prophylactic ChSB-FeNPs treatment notably improved body weight gain and FCR, with efficacy comparable to or exceeding that of amprolium. TEM confirmed the nanocomposite size (~39.5 nm), and cytotoxicity assays demonstrated safety at 0.133 μg/mL. Conclusion: ChSB-FeNPs exhibited potent anticoccidial effects, offering both preventive and therapeutic benefits against E. tenella infection in broilers. This nanocomposite represents a promising, next-generation alternative to conventional anticoccidial drugs, warranting further investigation for large-scale application.