role of rabbits in the biology of some gastrointestinal parasites infedting sheep

ABSTRACT

Twelve rabbits [Buscat strain] were classified into 4 Gs [3 rabbits each]. The first three groups were experimentally infected with the infective 3rd stage larvae of Bunostomum phlebotomum, Trichostrangylus colubriformis and Cooperia onchophora, respectively. The 4th G was used as a control. The faecal examination until slaughtering time [21 days post infection] of all Gs did not show any nematode eggs. The microscopic examination of the gastrointestinal canal contents and mucosal scrapings of all Gs at slaughtering time did not show any gastro intestinal parasites. The 4th stage larvae [L4] of B. phlebotomum and T. colubriformis were obtained after digestion of epithelium of ileum and duodenum of G.1 and G.2 respectively. The histopathologic examination of gastrointestinal canal, ileum of G.1 showed necrosis of epithelium and eosinophilic infiltration associated with parasitic stages [L4] of B. phlebotomum. The intestine of G.2 showed parasitic stages [L4] loaded in the villi of duodenum associated with eosinophilic infiltration of T. colubriformis. The intestine of G.3 showed necrosis of the villi and eosinophilic infiltration due to C. onchophora. The histopathologic examination of the gastrointestinal canal of control group was normal