Encephalitozoon Cuniculi

Introduction
The most frequently seen infectious disease in rabbits is encephalitozoonosis. it is the most common problem after dental disorders seen in rabbits at our practice. on the basis of my experience, i will give you some practical tips and advice on how to deal with suspected Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi
An infected rabbit can excrete spores through urine and contaminate food, so that another rabbit eating contaminated food will become infected (horizontal transmis- sion). infection spreads from the gastrointestinal tract through the bloodstream to other organs. predilection sites in rabbits are the brain, nervous system, and kidneys. Clinical manifestations depend on the site of infection. infected rabbits can be latently infected or asymptomatic for many years. although symptoms may be mild and persist- ent, they may also be so severe that the rabbit has to be euthanized within days or weeks. the first symptoms can develop acutely and are often seen after a stressful inci- dent (such as a vaccination or an operation). the number of spores increases, rupturing the host cell, which causes an acute inflammatory response. the liberated spores invade surrounding tissue and enter the bloodstream. Spores that reach the kidneys are shed in urine, contaminating the environment. E. cuniculi spores can survive for weeks out- side the host and remain infectious to other rabbits.

Another route of transmission is ‘in utero’ from an infected dam to her offspring (vertical transmission). With this route of transmission, the lens of the eye of the embryo may also become infected. [...]