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Toxigenic Pasteurella multocida in rabbits with naturally occurring atrophic rhinitis
T Frymus1, W Bielecki, T Jakubowski
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw Agricultural University, Poland.
Summary
Infections with Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica were investigated in rabbits with respiratory disease. A small number of Pasteurella multocida strains produced dermonecrotic toxins.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Microbiology
- Animal Pathology
Background:
- Enzootic upper respiratory disease is a common issue in commercial rabbitries.
- Porcine atrophic rhinitis shares clinical similarities with rabbit respiratory infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify bacterial pathogens associated with enzootic upper respiratory disease in rabbits.
- To assess the toxigenicity of isolated bacterial strains, particularly Pasteurella multocida.
Main Methods:
- Nasal swabs were collected from 36 rabbits exhibiting respiratory symptoms.
- Bacterial cultures were performed to isolate Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica.
- Toxigenicity testing for Pasteurella multocida was conducted using a guinea pig skin test.
Main Results:
- Pasteurella multocida was isolated from 17 rabbits (35 strains).
- Three of the 30 tested Pasteurella multocida strains were positive for dermonecrotic toxin production.
- Bordetella bronchiseptica was isolated from 14 rabbits (15 strains), with no toxigenic isolates found.
Conclusions:
- Pasteurella multocida is a significant bacterial isolate from rabbits with enzootic upper respiratory disease.
- A subset of Pasteurella multocida strains in this rabbit population possess the capacity to produce dermonecrotic toxins.
- Bordetella bronchiseptica was also identified but did not exhibit toxigenicity in the tested isolates.