Molecular characterization of bacterial pathogens-causing snuffles in rabbits in terms of prevalence and pathogenicity

Abstract

Respiratory disease, or snuffling, is a major problem associated with serious economic losses in the rabbit industry. The dis ease in rabbits is a polybacterial infection in nature, resulting from co-infection with more than one bacterial pathogen. To determine the involved bacterial pathogens in respiratory infections in terms of prevalence and pathogenicity, different specimens from rabbits with typical respiratory disorders are subjected to bacteriological examination followed by molecular verification through RT-PCR or PCR then sequencing of the PCR-product. The results identified Mycoplasma sp. as a major partner in mixed infection with virulent strains of P. multocida or S. aureus, suggesting that, initial infection with Mycoplasma sp. creates vulnerability to subsequent infection with P. multocida or S. aureus. Gross and microscopic analysis were also applied to demonstrate lesions accompanied by the detected bacterial pathogens. This study described the prevalence and characteristics of respiratory illness in rabbits domesticated in Al-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt and highlighted for the first time the role of Mycoplasma sp. in increasing the severity of rabbit-respiratory infections.