Prevalence of clostridial microorganisms in domestic rabbits at Giza governorate

ABSTRACT

Clostridial microorganisms were recovered from 126 out of 358 [35.2%] examined rabbits, either with gross normal conditions or suffered from intestinal disorders. Baladi rabbits showed the highest incidence, followed by California and Boscat breeds. The lowest recovery was recorded from New Zeal and white breed. C. perfringens and C. difficile were identified in high and low rates, respectively, from both apparently healthy and diarrheic rabbits. However, C. tertium was recovered only from diseased ones. The toxigenic C. perfringens isolates were types A, E and D in descending manner. Moreover, four rabbits recorded mixed A and D types. Type A produced high lecithinase, hyaluronidase and hemolytic activities, but the fibrinolytic activity was 70%. Type D was completely fibrinolytic, lowest producer for both lecithinase and hemolysin and non- hyaluronidase producer. On the other h and, type E activities were moderate