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Clinical Molecular Investigation of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in Pet Rabbits: Early Detection of Potential Risk for
Maruša Škrbec1, Brigita Slavec1, Nina Kočar1
1Institute of Poultry, Birds, Small Mammals, and Reptiles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Background:
Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an obligate intracellular parasite belonging to the phylum Microsporidia, family Encephalitozoonidae. The parasite is distributed worldwide and infects a variety of mammals, with rabbits being the main host. Currently, the most reliable diagnostic method is serological testing, but various molecular techniques are also being used.
Objective:
This study assesses the presence, genotypes and clinical signs of E. cuniculi infection in pet rabbits in Slovenia, using molecular and serological methods.
Methods:
From January 2022 to 2024, urine samples from random pet rabbits (n = 247) were collected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to search for the presence of E. cuniculi genetic material or spores.
Results:
With the real-time PCR, E. cuniculi genetic material was detected in 37 of 247 (14.98%) rabbit urine samples. Serological testing revealed specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and/or immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in 91 of 133 rabbits (68.42%). A quarter of the serologically positive rabbits (25.27%) and almost half of the molecularly positive rabbits (43.24%) were clinically healthy and showed no signs of encephalitozoonosis. E. cuniculi genetic material in urine was mostly discovered in rabbits with signs of urinary tract disorders (27.03%) or neurological clinical signs (21.62%). Genotype I of E. cuniculi was detected in all rabbits. Despite the detection of the pathogens' DNA, no E. cuniculi spores were observed by TEM.
Conclusion:
E. cuniculi infection is common among pet rabbits in Slovenia, with a high seroprevalence and detectable urinary shedding of parasite DNA. The presence of clinically healthy but infected rabbits indicates that subclinical infections are frequent. Genotype I appears to be the predominant genotype in the studied population. Combined molecular and serological testing may improve the detection and epidemiological characterization of E. cuniculi infections in rabbits.
