Immunoinformatics-Aided Design of a Multiepitope Vaccine Against <i>Eimeria Tenella</i> -Associated Chicken Coccidiosis

Avian coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria protozoa, presents a significant threat to poultry, with <i>Eimeria tenella</i> being particularly harmful due to its impact on the chicken cecum. Growing resistance to current treatments necessitates alternative therapeutic approaches. Consequently, this study employed an immunoinformatics approach to design a multiepitope vaccine targeting <i>E tenella</i>. Key proteins, including the sporulated oocyst TA4 antigen, alkylglycerone-phosphate synthase, and apical membrane antigen-1, were analysed for epitope prediction. Further comprehensive downstream analysis identified 13 MHC class I, 6 MHC class II, and 7 B-cell epitopes, which were linked with suitable linkers. Also, cholera toxin subunit B was incorporated as an adjuvant, creating a 531-amino-acid construct. The vaccine demonstrated favourable predicted antigenicity, non-allergenicity, and stability properties. Molecular docking predicted interaction with toll-like receptor 15, while immune response simulation showed potential induction of various immunocytes, including helper and cytotoxic T-cells, natural killer cells, and immunoglobulins. The vaccine was predicted to promote antigen clearance after the second dose, suggesting strong memory response potential. These findings indicate the designed vaccine could stimulate a potent protective immune response against <i>E tenella</i> infection. However, further in vitro and in vivo validation studies are necessary to confirm the vaccine's efficacy before clinical application in poultry immunization programmes.