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

Abd-Algawad, Rania; Mowafy, Rehab; Salem, Sanaa M.M.; Atia, Noha; Ali, Samah F.; Eltokhy, Essam I; Kamel, Essam; Ali, Hala R.

doi:10.21608/ejar.2021.89555.1129

	Molecular characterization of snuffle-causing bacterial pathogens in rabbits in terms of prevalence and pathogenicity
Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research
Article 9, Volume 99, Issue 4, December 2021, Page 475-485 PDF (1.46 MB)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/ejar.2021.89555.1129
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Authors
Rania Abd-Algawad¹; Rehab Mowafy²; Sanaa M.M. Salem³; Noha Atia⁴; Samah F. Ali⁵; Essam I Eltokhy⁶; Essam Kamel⁷; Hala R. Ali ⁸
¹Mycoplasma department, Animal Health Research Institute Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Dokki, Giza, P.O. Box12618, Egypt.
²Pathology Department, Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI),Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Dokki, Giza, P.O. Box12618, Egypt.
³Pathology Department, Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Dokki, Giza, P.O. Box12618, Egypt
⁴Bacteriology Department, Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Dokki, Giza, Egypt
⁵Bacteriology Department, Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Agriculture Research center (ARC), , Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
⁶Biotechnology Department, Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Dokki, Giza,Egypt.
⁷Toxicology Biochemistry Department, Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Dokki, Giza
⁸Bacteriology Department, Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Dokki, Giza, P.O. Box12618, Egypt.
Abstract
Respiratory disease, or snuffling, is a major problem associated with serious economic losses in the rabbit industry. The disease 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 Mycoplasmasp. 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.
Keywords
Rabbits; Mycoplasma sp; P. multocida; S. aureus; Histopathology; RT- PCR sequencing


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