The incidence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in a commercial barrier-maintained rabbit breeding colony.
Between 1982 and 1987 sera from 4952 New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) obtained from a single commercial supplier were tested for the presence of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi. A commercially available carbon immunoassay test kit was used. Initially 32.9% of the rabbits were seropositive with the number progressively decreasing to 2.3% by 1987. The reason for the significant decline in the incidence of infection was most likely due to a selection process for breeding stock instituted by the supplier based upon productivity, posture and weight of each animal.
Greenstein
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G
Department of Laboratory Animal Resources, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., Nutley, New Jersey 07110.
Drozdowicz
C K
CK
Garcia
F G
FG
Lewis
L L
LL
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D009670:Encephalitozoon cuniculi / Q000276:immunology; D016890:Encephalitozoonosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006799:Housing, Animal; D007118:Immunoassay; D011817:Rabbits; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012698:Serologic Tests
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan