INFECTIOUS MYXOMATOSIS (SANARELLI) IN PREGNANT RABBITS

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Rabbit Pathology
• Immunology

Background:

• Infectious myxomatosis is a significant viral disease affecting rabbits.
• Pregnancy can modulate immune responses and disease susceptibility in various animal models.
• Understanding how pregnancy affects myxomatosis pathogenesis is crucial for disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of pregnancy on the pathological manifestations of infectious myxomatosis in rabbits.
• To compare the severity and distribution of viral lesions in pregnant versus non-gravid rabbits.

Main Methods:

• Histopathological examination of tissues from pregnant and non-gravid rabbits infected with the myxoma virus.
• Comparative analysis of lesion size and extent in key organs including the liver, lungs, spleen, and skin.

Main Results:

• Pregnant rabbits exhibited central acidophilic necrosis in the liver.
• Secondary lung lesions were more numerous and larger in pregnant rabbits compared to non-gravid controls.
• Splenic lesions were more extensive in pregnant rabbits.
• Skin lesions associated with myxomatosis were reduced in size in pregnant rabbits.

Conclusions:

• Pregnancy alters tissue reactivity to infectious myxomatosis virus in rabbits.
• Specific organ systems show differential responses to the virus during pregnancy, with increased severity in internal organs and decreased severity in skin lesions.