Etiological studies of enteritis in commercial rabbits

الملخص EN

his study includes 123 rabbits aged from 1-3 months of both sex.

Twenty rabbits were suffered from enteritis, and the others were found apparently clinically healthy and 8 rabbits were chosen to be the control group.

These rabbits were used for determination of the causative agents of enteritis either bacterial or viral.

These rabbits obtained from commercial farms.

All rabbits were subjected to careful clinical and laboratory examination.

Faecal samples were obtained directly from the rectum of each rabbit under aseptic, conditions in sterile container, examined for bacteriological 'aha' ;viroiogical- -tests for detection the causative agents of enteritis.

Faecal examination showed the following Pathogenic and non -pathogenic organisms in respective order as follow: 45% pathogenic E.

coli, 30 % non-pathogenic E.

coli, 5% Clostridium piliform., 20% Stapholoccus Spp, 30% Rota virus and 15% corona virus.

The gross picture was similar in both bacterial and viral enteritis as the intestine was congested and filled with gasses and fluids.

Microscopically the intestine in cases of viral enteritis showed short, atrophic villi and its epithelium was degenerated and necrosed.

Also the lamina propria was infiltrated with lymphocytes.

In case of E.

coli and Clostridium piliform infection the intestine showed atrophic villi, degenerated epithelium and the lamina propria was edematous, congested and infiltrated with different leukocytes.

In case of S.

aureus infection the intestine showed increased number of goblet cell in the epithelium and neutrophilic cell infiltration in the lamina propria.

There were a significant increase in the levels of erythrocytic counts (RBCs), packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), total leukocytic counts (TWBCs), neutrophils and lymphocytes and these were usually with cases of enteritis and loss of body fluids.