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RABBIT SEPTICEMIA BACILLUS, TYPES D AND G, IN NORMAL RABBITS
1Laboratories of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Rabbit septicemia bacilli (Type D and G) are present in the nasal passages of healthy rabbits. Carrier rabbits develop immune agglutinins, indicating a host response to these otherwise non-pathogenic microbes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Veterinary Science
Background:
- Rabbit septicemia bacillus, Type D, is a known pathogen.
- A mutant form, Microbe G, was previously identified.
- The natural occurrence and pathogenicity of these microbes in rabbits were unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the presence of Microbe G and Type D in normal rabbits.
- To characterize the virulence and immune response associated with these microbes.
Main Methods:
- Nasal swab analysis of normal rabbits.
- Bacterial culture and characterization.
- Virulence testing via intrapleural injection.
- Serum agglutination assays.
Main Results:
- Microbe G and Type D were found on the nasal mucous membranes of healthy rabbits.
- These organisms showed low virulence in their natural state but high virulence upon experimental inoculation.
- Carrier rabbits possessed immune agglutinins against Microbe G.
Conclusions:
- Normal rabbits can carry rabbit septicemia bacilli (Type D and G) asymptomatically.
- The presence of these bacteria elicits an immune response in carrier rabbits.
- Despite asymptomatic carriage, Type D retains high virulence when experimentally introduced.
