title: Alternative treatment of serious and mild Pasteurella multocida infection in New Zealand White rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pasteurella multocida causes numerous economically relevant diseases in livestock including rabbits. Immunisation is only variably effective. Prophylactic antibiotics are used in some species but are contra-indicated in rabbits, due to their adverse effects on the rabbit microbiota. There is therefore a substantial need for alternative forms of infection control in rabbits; we investigated the effect of oral β-glucan on P. multocida infection in this species.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirthy-five New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into five groups of seven animals. Three groups were inoculated with Pasteurella multocida intranasally (in.), a physiologically appropriate challenge which reproduces naturally acquired infection, and received either (1-3), (1-6) β-glucans or placebo. Four other groups were inoculated both in. and intramuscularly (im.), representing a supra-physiological challenge, and received either (1-3), (1-6) β-glucans, antibiotic or placebo. β-glucans given prophylactically were highly effective in protecting against physiological (in.) bacterial challenge. They were less effective in protecting against supra-physiological bacterial challenge (in. and im.), although they extended survival times. This latter finding has practical relevance to breeders as it extends the window in which heavily infected and symptomatic animals can be salvaged with antibiotics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our study, (1-3), (1-6) β-glucans were highly effective in protecting against a model of naturally acquired P. multocida infection and extended survival times in the supra-physiological model. Enrofloxacin was effective in protecting against supra-physiological infection. We are currently reviewing the use of combined prophylaxis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, István u. 2, Budapest, 1078, Hungary. palocz.orsolya@aotk.szie.hu.
authors.forename: Orsolya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Palócz
authors.affiliation: Department of Exotic Animal and Wildlife Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, István u. 2, Budapest, 1078, Hungary. gal.janos@aotk.szie.hu.
authors.forename: János
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gál
authors.affiliation: Institute for Food, Brain and Behaviour, 106-108. Cowley Road, Oxford, OX41JE, UK. paulrclayton@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clayton
authors.affiliation: Flavon Group Hungary, Veres Péter u. 19, Debrecen, 4033, Hungary. tamasd@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dinya
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, István u. 2, Budapest, 1078, Hungary. somzol92@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Somogyi
authors.affiliation: Immitec Nutrition AB, Farmannsveien 18-22, Tønsberg, 3111, Norway. info@drjuhaszcsaba.hu.
authors.forename: Csaba
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Juhász
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, István u. 2, Budapest, 1078, Hungary. csiko.gyorgy@aotk.szie.hu.
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Csikó
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D000077422:Enrofloxacin; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005936:Glucans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010326:Pasteurella Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D016979:Pasteurella multocida / Q000187:drug effects; D011817:Rabbits / Q000382:microbiology*; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D005936:Glucans; D047071:beta-Glucans; C033671:epiglucan; D000077422:Enrofloxacin