Seroprevalence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi Infection in Pet Rabbits in Brazil

Baldotto, Suelen Berger; Cray, Carolyn; Giannico, Amália Turner; Reifur, Larissa; Montiani‐Ferreira, Fabiano

doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2015.08.010

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…As the sampling was not randomised due to voluntary participation, the prevalence may not represent the prevalence in all Finnish rabbits. This result is consistent with the results of previous studies of asymptomatic pet rabbits in UK and Korea (23.1 and 25.8%, respectively [25,26]) but was much lower compared to the seroprevalence observed in another study of healthy domestic rabbits in the UK (51.5%, [44]), asymptomatic pet rabbits in Italy (68.1% [32]; 52.9%, [45]), and asymptomatic pet rabbits in Brazil (85.0%, [46]). The highest seroprevalence values were reported in rabbits with neurological symptoms typical of E. cuniculi infections (70.65% [45], 86.1% [11]) and in commercially reared asymptomatic breeding does in large Italian farms with in total 300-3000 breeding does and 2000-14,000 growing rabbits [48].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Several factors may explain the differences between seroprevalences of various study populations. Baldotto et al [46] listed four factors to explain the high seroprevalence observed in their study of Brazilian pet rabbits: (1) tropical and subtropical climate, (2) owners´ lack of knowledge of the disease and its transmission, (3) poor general husbandry practices, and (4) presence of same rabbit family with several generations in same household resulting in transplacental exposure. Climate conditions in northern countries with cold winter as in Finland, reduce the infectiveness of the spores, but also restrict the possibility to keep rabbits outdoors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seroprevalence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and risk-factor assessment for Encephalitozoon cuniculi seroprevalence in Finnish pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

et al. 2022

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Background Neurological signs, such as head tilt, torticollis, paralysis, and seizures, are common in rabbits. Differential diagnoses include two zoonotic infections caused by the microsporidial fungi Encephalitozoon cuniculi and the apicomplexan protozoa Toxoplasma gondii. Both infections are mainly latent in rabbits but may cause severe or even fatal disease. Although several international studies have reported the seroprevalence of these pathogens in different commercial rabbit populations, similar prevalence studies and risk-factor analyses among family-owned pet rabbits are uncommon and lacking in Scandinavia. We sought to estimate the seroprevalence and possible risk factors for E. cuniculi and T. gondii among Finnish pet rabbits. We used ELISA to measure E. cuniculi IgG seroprevalence of 247 rabbits and modified direct agglutination test for T. gondii seroprevalence of 270 rabbits. Samples were collected as part of the Finnish Pet Rabbit Health Research project. Internet-based questionnaires (n = 231) completed by the rabbit owners were used for risk-factor analysis. Results The apparent seroprevalence of E. cuniculi was 29.2% and true seroprevalence of T. gondii 3.9%. Risk factors were analysed only for E. cuniculi due to the low T. gondii seroprevalence. The final multivariable logistic regression model revealed that rabbits spending the whole summer outdoors had a higher risk of being E. cuniculi seropositive than rabbits with limited outdoor access. Additionally, rabbits living in households with only one or two rabbits had higher risk of being E. cuniculi seropositive than those in multi-rabbit households. Conclusions Nearly one third of Finnish pet rabbits participating in this study had E. cuniculi IgG antibodies, indicating previous exposure to this pathogen. The prevalence is similar to that reported previously in clinically healthy rabbit populations in UK and Korea. While the seroprevalence of T. gondii was low (3.9%), antibodies were detected. Therefore, these zoonotic parasitic infections should be considered as differential diagnoses when treating rabbits.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and risk-factor assessment for Encephalitozoon cuniculi seroprevalence in Finnish pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

et al. 2022

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“…In addition to not being a species-specific infection, there also seems to be no association with other characteristics of the animal. For example, E. cuniculi appears to be unrelated to the individual’s sex/gender, as described in rabbits (Keeble and Shaw 2006 ; Dipineto et al 2008 ; Okewole 2008 ; Jeklova et al 2010 ; Tee et al 2011 ; Shin et al 2014 ; Berger Baldotto et al 2015 ), cats (Benz et al 2011 ; Tsukada et al 2016 ), humans (Abu-Akkada et al 2015b ), and horses (Wagnerová et al 2012 ), and even unrelated to age (Keeble and Shaw 2006 ; Okewole 2008 ; Jeklova et al 2010 ; Shin et al 2014 ; Berger Baldotto et al 2015 ). However, in terms of age, rabbits older than 4 months (Dipineto et al 2008 ; Santaniello et al 2009 ) and horses older than 3 years (Wagnerová et al 2012 ) showed a significantly higher seropositivity in comparison with the respective younger counterparts.…”

Section: Epidemiology and Serological Prevalencementioning

confidence: 85%

“…The neurological condition is the most reported in this species, and the clinical signs are related to a central vestibular dysfunction, such as head tilt (Dipineto et al 2008 ; Okewole 2008 ; Csokai et al 2009 ; Ashmawy et al 2011 ; Tee et al 2011 ; Berger Baldotto et al 2015 ; Lavazza et al 2016 ), torticollis (Ozkan et al 2011 ; Fukui et al 2013 ; Zietek et al 2014 ; Maestrini et al 2017 ; Morsy et al 2020 ), tremors (Dipineto et al 2008 ; Jeklova et al 2010 ), circling (Jeklova et al 2010 ; Lavazza et al 2016 ; Morsy et al 2020 ), ataxia (Dipineto et al 2008 ; Jeklova et al 2010 ; Fukui et al 2013 ; Lavazza et al 2016 ; Morsy et al 2020 ), nystagmus (Jeklova et al 2010 ; Lavazza et al 2016 ), seizures (Jeklova et al 2010 ), and asthenia, paresis, or even paralysis of limbs (Dipineto et al 2008 ; Okewole 2008 ; Ashmawy et al 2011 ; Ozkan et al 2011 ; Zietek et al 2014 ; Berger Baldotto et al 2015 ; Morsy et al 2020 ). Urinary incontinence was also recorded (Okewole 2008 ; Zietek et al 2014 ; Berger Baldotto et al 2015 ). In turn, the ocular presentation is described as phacoclastic uveitis, characterized by severe inflammation of the uvea, the appearance of whitish intraocular lesions and even cataracts (Giordano et al 2005 ; Dipineto et al 2008 ; Csokai et al 2009 ; Jeklova et al 2010 ; Tee et al 2011 ; Berger Baldotto et al 2015 ; Lavazza et al 2016 ; Morsy et al 2020 ).…”

Section: Infection In the Main Host Species: Clinical Presentation An...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A multidisciplinary review about Encephalitozoon cuniculi in a One Health perspective

2022

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Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidian parasite mostly associated with its natural host, the rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ). However, other animals can be infected, like other mammals, birds, and even humans. Although it usually causes subclinical infection, it can also lead to encephalitozoonosis, a clinical disease characterized by neurological, ocular, and/or renal signs that can be even fatal, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, this multidisciplinary review contributes with updated information about the E. cuniculi , deepening in its molecular and genetic characterization, its mechanisms of infection and transmission, and its prevalence among different species and geographic locations, in a One Health perspective. Recent information about the diagnostic and therapeutic approach in the main host species and the prophylaxis and infection control measures currently suggested are also discussed.

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“…Most infections by E. cuniculi are subclinical [ 77 ] and some studies have reported seroprevalence ranging from 45% [ 78 ] to 89% in healthy rabbits [ 79 ]. T-cell immunity is thought to play a critical role in disease manifestation in rabbits and rodents, as in humans [ 80 ].…”

Section: Rabbit and Rodents Encephalitozoonosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Microsporidiosis in Vertebrate Companion Exotic Animals

Vergneau‐Grosset

Larrat

2015

JoF

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Veterinarians caring for companion animals may encounter microsporidia in various host species, and diagnosis and treatment of these fungal organisms can be particularly challenging. Fourteen microsporidial species have been reported to infect humans and some of them are zoonotic; however, to date, direct zoonotic transmission is difficult to document versus transit through the digestive tract. In this context, summarizing information available about microsporidiosis of companion exotic animals is relevant due to the proximity of these animals to their owners. Diagnostic modalities and therapeutic challenges are reviewed by taxa. Further studies are needed to better assess risks associated with animal microsporidia for immunosuppressed owners and to improve detection and treatment of infected companion animals.

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Seroprevalence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi Infection in Pet Rabbits in Brazil

Cited by 12 publications

References 33 publications

Seroprevalence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and risk-factor assessment for Encephalitozoon cuniculi seroprevalence in Finnish pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Seroprevalence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and risk-factor assessment for Encephalitozoon cuniculi seroprevalence in Finnish pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

A multidisciplinary review about Encephalitozoon cuniculi in a One Health perspective

Microsporidiosis in Vertebrate Companion Exotic Animals

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