Serological survey for antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi in pet rabbits in Italy.
Pet rabbits (n = 125) from Southern Italy were submitted to a serological screening for Encephalitozoon cuniculi, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a carbon immunoassay (CIA). Seventy-eight examined rabbits showed clinical signs suggestive of encephalitozoonosis (head tilt, ataxia, paralysis, cataracts, uveitis, polyuria and polydipsia), whereas 47 were healthy rabbits. Antibodies anti-E. cuniculi were found in 84/125 (67.2%) sera analysed. The results of the chi-squared test showed that sex and health status had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on E. cuniculi seropositivity; however, rabbits older than 4 months had a seropositivity for E. cuniculi significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of rabbits aged up to 4 months. The results of the present survey reinforce the assumption that rabbit may be indicated as the main reservoir of E. cuniculi; therefore, routine screening examinations in pet rabbits are strongly advised considering the zoonotic potential of this parasite.
Dipineto
L
L
Dipartimento di Patologia e Sanità Animale, Università di Napoli Federico II, via Delpino 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy. dipineto@unina.it
Rinaldi
L
L
Santaniello
A
A
Sensale
M
M
Cuomo
A
A
Calabria
M
M
Menna
L F
LF
Fioretti
A
A
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary; D009670:Encephalitozoon cuniculi / Q000276:immunology*; D016890:Encephalitozoonosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D007118:Immunoassay; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011634:Public Health; D011817:Rabbits / Q000382:microbiology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D015047:Zoonoses
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal