Coccidiosis is the major parasitic disease of poultry and it is caused by protozoa of the phylum Apicomplexa,
family Eimeriidae. Drugs and vaccines are the two main control measures for this disease however, due
to concerns on prophylactic drugs use and the high vaccines cost, alternative methods are needed. The
use of probiotics is now preferred to antibiotics in poultry industry. Also herbal preparations could be an
alternative to treat coccidiosis in poultry and Drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera) is indicate for its
effectiveness. Aim of this study is to formulate a new poultry diet, integrated with probiotic blend
SLAB51 (Sivoy®, Mendes SA, Switzerland) or Moringa oleifera leaf meal, to avoid parasitic overgrowth and
the usual administration of anticoccidic drugs. Three groups (M=Moringa; P=probiotics; C=control) of 150
chickens each, with naturally acquired coccidia infection, were studied. All groups were breeded and
feeded in the same conditions. Group M received M. oleifera leaf meal added to the food (5%) from day 60
and Group P received SLAB51 probiotics in water (7.5 Billion/50ml), from day 1. At day 120, poultry were
slaughtered and gut samples were collected for histopathology. Intestinal morphology (IM) was evaluated:
sections from duodenum, ileum and cecum were used to measure the height of villi, the depth of crypts,
and the ratio villi/crypts. At the level of cecum, thickness of the lamina propria was measured. Lesions due
to coccidia replication were evaluated according to Lesions Score (LS) criteria. The scoring system was
standardized for a scale of 0 to 4 [6]. Data on growth performances and mortality were recorded. Lesion
Score (LS) and oocysts count (OC=oocysts/microscopic field) in different intestinal tracts were used to
evaluate the different groups. In group P, LS, OC, IM, ponderal increase, final weight and mortality
reduction were statistically significant, compared to group C. In group M, only LS, OC and mortality
reduction resulted statistically significant. M. oleifera leaves had a positive effect against the coccidiosis but
had no effect on the IM, ponderal increase and final weight. In general, group P showed better results than
group M. SLAB51 probiotics seem to have a protective activity in poultry coccidiosis, and an addictional
auxinic activity, preserving IM and integrity. In conclusion, M. oleifera leaf meal and SLAB51 probiotics can
be useful to formulating a diet that avoids the use of anticoccidial drugs in broilers
