[Listeriosis in a rabbitry]

An enzootic of listeriosis in a rabbitry is reported. Listeria monocytogenes serotype 1/2a was isolated from the organs of a doe, which had died of septic metritits. From aborted fetuses of two other does Listeria monocytogenes serotype 1/2b and 4b were cultured, respectively. In feed samples of the rabbitry Listeria monocytogenes strains of the serotypes 1/2b and 4b besides the apathogenic Listeria species Listeria seeligeri and Listeria innocua were detected. Serological studies with agglutination test and complement fixation test on double serum samples of does, which had aborted, pointed to listeric infections as the cause of abortion. A doe, which had aborted and failed to become pregnant again, showed serosal adhesions of both uterine tubes and a sterile pyometra. Therefore, previous infection of the uterus by Listeria monocytogenes should be considered as a cause of infertility.