An Investigation of the Route and Progression of Encephalitozoon cuniculi Infection in Adult Rabbits

Abstract

Rabbits infected either orally or intratracheally with cell culture-grown E. cuniculi were monitored regularly for serum antibody levels and E. cuniculi in the urine. Their responses were compared with i.v. inoculated and uninoculated control rabbits. All rabbits receiving E. cuniculi developed serum antibodies, generally within 3 wk, and excreted E. cuniculi by 6 wk. In the acute stage of infection, the organs most affected were lung, kidney and liver; the brain and gut were unaffected. During chronic infection, the brain, kidney and heart were the only organs involved. Antibody levels were very high at this stage. Both the oral and tracheal routes may be normal routes of infection with E. cuniculi in adult rabbits.