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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

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Measuring Bacterial Load and Immune Responses in Mice Infected with Listeria monocytogenes
Published on: August 9, 2011
[Listeriosis in a rabbitry]
Summary
Listeriosis outbreaks in rabbitries can be caused by Listeria monocytogenes. This bacterial infection can lead to abortion and infertility in does, impacting rabbitry health.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Microbiology
- Animal Science
Background:
- Listeriosis is a serious bacterial infection affecting various animal species.
- Understanding the epidemiology of Listeria monocytogenes in domestic animals like rabbits is crucial for disease control.
Observation:
- An outbreak of listeriosis occurred in a rabbitry, involving multiple does.
- Listeria monocytogenes, specifically serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b, was isolated from affected rabbits and their environment.
- Apathogenic Listeria species, Listeria seeligeri and Listeria innocua, were also detected in feed samples.
Findings:
- Septic metritis and abortion were observed in infected does.
- Serological tests confirmed Listeria infections as the cause of abortions.
- One doe experienced infertility post-abortion, exhibiting uterine tube adhesions and pyometra.
Implications:
- Listeria monocytogenes poses a significant threat to rabbitry health, causing reproductive losses.
- Environmental contamination, including feed, can contribute to the spread of Listeria.
- Uterine Listeria monocytogenes infections should be investigated as a potential cause of infertility in does.

