Search Results (2)

Few studies have investigated gastrointestinal (GI) and external parasites, as well as environmental fungi, in rabbits using a One Health approach. Between September 2023—May 2024, fecal, hair and skin scraping samples were collected from 72 rabbits that attended clinical consultations and from private owners and breeders in Portugal. Diagnostic techniques included Mini-FLOTAC, direct immunofluorescence antibody, and the analysis of the virulence profile of fur fungi. A total of 58% of the rabbits were positive for GI parasites, namely Eimeria spp. (45%), Cryptosporidium spp. (32%), Trichostrongylus retortaeformis (17%), Passalurus ambiguus (13%), Graphidium strigosum (13%), and Giardia spp. (9%), with only 12% of the infected animals showing clinical signs (diarrhea). In addition, 10% of the animals were positive for Cheyletiella sp. infestations. Environmental fungi of the genera Penicillium, Rhizopus, and Scopulariopsis were isolated from 7% of these animals, with the Scopulariopsis sp. isolate S1 testing positive for proteinase, lecithinase, and gelatinase activities. Frequent sanitization and regular deworming emerged as essential factors to minimize parasitic frequency. This integrated diagnosis procedure proved to be effective in the search for parasitic and fungal agents in rabbit medicine. Further research is needed to improve the knowledge on the transmission and pathogenicity of these agents in rabbits. Full article

In the northernmost German federal state Schleswig-Holstein, populations of European brown hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778) show diverse densities and varying courses over the years. To examine differences in pathomorphological findings and infectious diseases as possible reasons for varying population dynamics, we assessed 155 hunted hares from three locations in Schleswig-Holstein from 2016 to 2020. We investigated the association of location, year, age, and sex of animals to certain pathomorphological findings and infectious diseases. Frequent pathomorphological findings were intestinal parasites (63.9%), hepatitis (55.5%), nephritis (31.0%), steatitis (23.2%), enteritis (13.5%), and pneumonia (5.2%). Body condition differed significantly between locations, and the prevalence of pneumonia was significantly higher in females. Enteritis was not detected in 2019, when much more juveniles were sampled. Hepatitis and nephritis occurred significantly more often in 2016 and among adults. Additionally, more adults showed hepatitis with concurrent serotitre for European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV), while intestinal parasitosis as well as high excretion rates of coccidia were more common in juveniles. Sampled animals showed high infection rates with Eimeria spp. (96.1%), Trichostrongylus spp. (52.0%), Graphidium strigosum (41.2%), and a high seroprevalence (90.9%) for EBHSV, without severe symptoms. This study revealed a low prevalence of infectious pathogens, but a high prevalence of chronic inflammations of unknown origin in the tested brown hare populations. Overall, our results indicate a rather minor importance of infectious diseases for observed population dynamics of analysed hare populations in Schleswig-Holstein. Full article