Coinfection with Eimeria spp. decreases bacteremia and spinal lesions caused by pathogenic Enterococcus cecorum

•Pathogenic strains of Enterococcus cecorum (EC) cause a paralytic disease of chickens known as ‘kinky-back’.•Pathogenic EC escape the gut and infect the spleen (bacteremia) independent of gut damage.•Co-infection with coccidian parasites increases gut inflammation and decreases bacteremia due to EC.•Infection with either EC alone or dual infection had a negative impact on live performance parameters.•Undesirable live performance parameters were significantly increased in groups fed nicarbazin compared to zoalene.