Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an obligate intracellular pathogen that has wide host distribution, but primary affects rabbits. This study presents a seroepidemiological study of E. cuniculi
infection in 500 pet rabbits from the Czech Republic using ELISA capable of measuring
IgM and
IgG antibodies. Specific
IgM antibodies, reflecting acute,
reactivated infection or
reinfection, were detected in 32.4% of all rabbits.
IgG antibodies indicating
chronic infection, were presented in 68.0% of all rabbits. The highest detection rate of
IgM (54.4%) and
IgG (86.1%)
antibodies was ascertained in rabbits with neurological symptoms (n=79, group I). In rabbits with renal disorders (n=47, group II) 36.2% animals were specific
IgM and 80.9%
IgG positive. Out of 9 rabbits with ocular disorders (group III), 44.4% were positive for anti-E. cuniculi
IgM and 77.8% for
IgG antibodies. In rabbits with multiple signs (neurological and renal or ocular, n=16, group IV), 43.8% animals were specific
IgM and 68.8%
IgG positive. Out of 287 rabbits with other disease (group V), 26.5% were positive for anti-E. cuniculi
IgM and 64.1% for
IgG antibodies. However, the high presence of
IgM (24.2%) and
IgG (51.6%)
antibodies was detected in clinically healthy rabbits (n=62, group VI).
Toxoplasma gondii infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis for neurological and ocular disorders in rabbits. Using ELISA, 19.2% from all rabbits were positive for specific
anti-T. gondii
IgG. The highest seropositivity was detected in group III (44.4%). Simultaneous testing of
IgM and
IgG specific
antibodies give an indication of the
infection status. Presence of
IgM antibodies is indicative for active
infection with requirement to institute proper antimicrosporidial
therapy. As active
infection was detected in considerably high numbers of rabbits with clinical signs that are not usually associated with E. cuniculi, and even in asymptomatic rabbits, detection of both isotypes of specific
antibodies should be a routine part of a health check in rabbits.