Pyrosequencing of epizootic rabbit enteropathy inocula and rabbit caecal samples.

The aetiological agent of epizootic rabbit enteropathy (ERE) is still unknown although a bacterial infection seems the most likely hypothesis. In this study, amplification of the V5 and V6 regions of 16SrDNA from four virulent and two non-virulent caecal samples was performed using a pyrosequencing platform. The virulent samples did not group in the same cluster.

Vaccination of rabbits against coccidiosis using precocious lines of Eimeria magna and Eimeria media in Benin.

Three groups of twelve 35-day-old rabbits were used for the experiment. Two groups were vaccinated with a mixture of precocious lines of Eimeria magna and Eimeria media originating from corresponding wild strains isolated in Benin. One group benefited of a booster whereas the second one was kept without booster.

Development of molecular assays for the identification of the 11 Eimeria species of the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Coccidiosis are the major parasitic diseases in poultry and other domestic animals including the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Eleven distinct Eimeria species have been identified in this host, but no PCR-based method has been developed so far for unequivocal species differentiation. In this work, we describe the development of molecular diagnostic assays that allow for the detection and discrimination of the 11 Eimeria species that infect rabbits.

Epizootic rabbit enteropathy: comparison of PCR-based RAPD fingerprints from virulent and non-virulent samples.

Epizootic rabbit enteropathy is a gastrointestinal disorder of unknown aetiology of farmed rabbits characterised by inanition and mortality. Genomic analyses of virulent and non-virulent samples of inocula were performed using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Differences in bacterial DNA composition were found between inocula, but specific sequences were not linked with field cases of epizootic rabbit enteropathy.

Epizootic rabbit enteropathy inoculum (TEC4): antibiograms and antibiotic fractionation.

Epizootic rabbit enteropathy (ERE) emerged and spread in Europe within the last 13 years causing major economical loss. The aims of the study was to evaluate antibiograms of TEC4, an inoculum composed of an extract of intestinal content of affected rabbits, and to test the potential of different antibiotic-based TEC4 fractions to reproduce the disease. Twenty nine different antibiotic discs were incubated for determining bacteria resistance.

Development of a high-sensitivity nested PCR assay for the detection of Clostridium piliforme in clinical samples.

Tyzzer's disease has been reported in numerous animal species, including rodents and lagomorphs such as the rabbit. Because the organism cannot be cultivated on artificial media the diagnosis of the aetiological agent Clostridium piliforme is rather difficult and is based on the identification of typical gross lesions and histological demonstration of the characteristic intracellular bacteria at the periphery of the necrotic foci. To address the limitations of C.

The endogenous development of the rabbit coccidium Eimeria exigua Yakimoff, 1934.

The coccidium Eimeria exigua from the tame rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has been neglected so far since it was considered to be an invalid species. Indeed, little is known about this coccidium. We have studied its endogenous development in domestic rabbits by means of light and electron microscopy.

Fractionation of the reference inoculum of epizootic rabbit enteropathy in discontinuous sucrose gradient identifies aetiological agents in high density fractions.

Epizootic rabbit enteropathy (ERE) is a major cause of economic loss in intensive rabbit production. Since its first recognition in 1997, much work has been done to determine the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease and to identify the aetiological agent(s). Unfortunately, the quest for aetiology has only met with limited success despite the ability to reproduce the syndrome by inoculation of intestinal contents from field cases.

Infectious agents associated with epizootic rabbit enteropathy: isolation and attempts to reproduce the syndrome.

Epizootic rabbit enteropathy (ERE), a highly lethal (30-80% mortality) disease of broiler rabbits aged 6-14 weeks, first appeared in 1997 in French intensive enclosed rabbitries and is of unknown aetiology. Bacteriological, virological and parasitical examination of the intestinal contents of rabbits that had died either in spontaneous field cases or after experimental reproduction of ERE, were undertaken in an attempt to identify infectious agents that may play a role in the disease. Two bacterial strains, Clostridium perfringens and non-enteropathogenic Escherichia coli were repeatedly isolated at high faecal counts from naturally infected animals.

Epizootic Rabbit Enteropathy: experimental transmission and clinical characterization.

In late 1996 in France, a severe digestive disease appeared in fattening domestic rabbits. Named the Epizootic Rabbit Enteropathy (ERE), this digestive syndrome has become the main cause of mortality in rabbit farming. The diagnosis in field conditions is difficult because co-infection with other common rabbit pathogens is frequent.

Nutritional and sanitary statuses alter postweaning development of caecal microbial activity in the rabbit.

The postweaning development of caecal microbial activity was studied in the rabbit according to the sanitary status (conventional "C" vs. specified pathogen-free "SPF") and the nutritional status (standard-fibre "SF" vs. deficient-fibre "DF" diet).

Electron microscopic study on sporocysts and sporozoites of parental strains and precocious lines of rabbit coccidia Eimeria intestinalis, E. media and E. magna.

The fine structure of sporocysts and sporozoites of parent strains and precocious lines of rabbit coccidia Eimeria intestinalis, E. magna and E. media was studied.

Caecal microflora and fermentation pattern in exclusively milk-fed young rabbits.

Thirty-two SPF New Zealand White rabbits of both sexes were used in this experiment. They were sequentially slaughtered at 22, 29, 35 and 42 days of age. The rabbits were only milked by their mother and by foster mothers (no access to solid food) throughout the experiment.

Vaccination against Eimeria magna coccidiosis using spray dispersion of precocious line oocysts in the nest box.

Coccidiosis mostly affects young rabbits just after weaning (5- to 6-week-old animals). Prevention of this disease must therefore be initiated before weaning. 'Precocious lines', derived from field species display good immunogenicity, though not pathogenic when administered at the right dose.

Acquired protection of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) against coccidiosis using a precocious line of Eimeria magna: effect of vaccine dose and age at vaccination.

Sucklings were vaccinated orally once at 25, 27 or 29 days of age with a precocious line of Eimeria magna. Each group received two doses varying from 3.5 x 10(2) to 3.

Eimeria magna Pérard, 1925: study of the endogenous development of parental and precocious strains.

The endogenous development of a parental strain of E. magna and its deriving precocious line was studied after inoculation of coccidia-free rabbits with oocysts or sporocysts directly into the duodenum and using electron microscopy. Four meront generations could be observed mainly in the jejunum and ileum for the parent strain.

A new approach for the identification and the diagnosis of Eimeria media parasite of the rabbit.

In this work, we described a new approach for the isolation of a species-specific probe for the Eimeria media parasite of the rabbit based on the use of the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. A specific fragment of 800 bp of the studied species was isolated after RAPD and then cloned and DIG-radiolabeled. After dot-blotting, we observed that this probe was specific for E.

Eimeria media Kessel 1929: comparative study of endogenous development between precocious and parental strains.

Endogenous development of a pure strain of Eimeria media and of a precocious line derived from this strain was studied in specific pathogen-free (SPF) rabbits. Endogenous development of the parental strain comprised three generations and the gamogony began 76 h post-inoculation (pi). Two types of meronts were observed in each generation.

Eimeria magna: pathogenicity, immunogenicity and selection of a precocious line.

A precocious line (PrEmag) of Eimeria magna in rabbits was obtained by selecting for early development of oocysts. The prepatent period was shortened by 46 h. The pathogenicity of PrEmag was substantially reduced and its reproductive potential was much lower (500 times) than that of the parent strain.

Study of the inter- and intraspecific variation of Eimeria spp. from the rabbit using random amplified polymorphic DNA.

A genetic polymorphism study was performed in coccidia from the rabbit. A comparative analysis of the RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA)-generated fingerprints, using 11 arbitrary primers, was carried out (1) in nine Eimeria species (E. intestinalis, E.

Relationships between microflora and caecal fermentation in rabbits before and after weaning.

Some microbiological and biochemical parameters of caecal content were studied in 15- to 49-d-old rabbits that were slaughtered sequentially. The ammonia level did not differ before weaning (11.5 mmol/L on average) (P = 0.

Eimeria media: selection and characterization of a precocious line.

A precocious line of Eimeria media was obtained by selection for early development of oocysts in rabbits. The prepatent period was reduced from 108 to 72 h. The precocious line was less pathogenic than the original strain, and its multiplication rate was lower.