Cilia-associated respiratory bacillus infection in rats in New Zealand.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus associated with chronic pneumonia in wild and pet rats in New Zealand.


METHODS
A range of tissues from 4 rats were examined grossly and by light microscopy and affected lungs were examined by transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
All 4 rats had moderate to severe cranioventral bronchopneumonia with bronchiectasis and large numbers of argentophilic bacteria resembling CAR bacillus, intimately associated with the bronchial epithelium.


CONCLUSIONS
CAR bacillus infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis for pneumonia in rats in New Zealand.
Kakrada
M K
MK
Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Lumsden
J S
JS
Lee
E A
EA
Collett
M G
MG