Abstract: Coccidiosis caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria has a severe economic impact on poultry production worldwide. The disease is considered as one of the most economically devastating infectious diseases and can cause huge economic losses each year. Currently, the control of coccidiosis is mainly relied on the use of chemoprophylaxis agents. However,the emergence of drug-resistant strains in the field, and increasing concerns raised over the drug residues inpoultry products, force people to explore alternative ways, such as immunological method, to control the Eimeria infection. Cytokines play an important role on immune response and anti-infection process. In recent three decades, with the development of studies on their types and functions, the roles of cytokines on anti-coccidia also attract the attention of more researchers. Studies on the production and the role of cytokines, should help to understand the immune regulation and immune response mechanisms, and provide foundation to strengthen immune effect with the use of immunopotentiator and immune adjuvant.

Key words: cytokines; chicken coccidiosis; cellular immunity; immune adjuvant; immune effect