ENCEPHALITOZOONOSIS IN LABORATORY-ANIMALS - SEROLOGICAL SURVEY

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 26  (1) , 1-8
Abstract
Serum samples of rabbits, guinea pigs, Syrian golden hamsters and mice from various breeding stations and laboratory colonies were examined for the presence of antibodies [Ab] to Encephalitozoon cuniculi by the indirect fluorescent Ab test (IFAT). Of more than 500 rabbits, only those from commercial farms and laboratory colonies were positive. The number of positive animals fluctuated in different colonies from 0-95%. Guinea pigs (140) were examined. Two colonies were Ab-free, 4 colonies consisted 29-85% of positively reacting animals. Syrian golden hamsters (110) from 5 colonies showed that in 4 colonies 14-80% of animals reacted positively and only 1 colony was negative. Of 126 rats examined, 15 and 30% of animals from 2 colonies contained significant Ab levels. Two colonies were negative. Mice (200) from a number of colonies did not show any significant positivity. The significance of these results is discussed.