[Brucellosis in rabbits induced by an experimental infection with Brucella suis germs]

Hares were experimentally infected with Brucella suis germs, biotype 2, to study the development of morphological changes in the organs. It was demonstrated that conjunctival and intranasal infection caused morphological brucellosis changes in liver. After conjunctival infection affections were observed in 16 days, and in 27 days after intranasal infection. The morphology of changes did not differ from those occurring in spontaneous brucellosis. The results of morphological examination corresponded to the serological results. It was proved by the results of the experiment that the course of brucellosis could be chronic and that in the process of the natural infection of hares with Brucella suis germs the conjunctival and intranasal modes of infection played an important role. Hares were highly sensitive and responsive to the conditions of the environment where experimental infection was performed. In laboratory conditions the health condition and functions of the organs of hares were impaired by a complex of negative, mainly psychogenic stress factors, which resulted in the death of hares and the experiment had to be finished prematurely on the 41st day after infection.