Development of a Prophylactic Method against Rabbit Enterotoxaemia

The antimicrobial effect of tannic acid and raw material of Acacia nilotica fruits and leaves (tannin-rich plant) on Clostridium perfringens were comparatively evaluated. Different concentrations) 10 mg to 10 μg/ml)of tannic acid; fruits, and leaves were tested on Cl. perfringens. The obtained results revealed that the minimum inhibitory concentrations were 156, 75 and 100 μg/ml for tannic acid, fruits and leaves, respectively. Concerning “in vivo” experiment, 30 rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups (5 in each) after acclimatization. Each animal of the first 5 groups received 1 ml of Cl. perfringens suspension per Os by stomach tube. In the next day each group was given drinking water with different tannin concentrations ad libitum through out the experiment. Faecal samples were collected to check the excretion rate of Cl. perfringens. The results revealed that, tannic acid leads to drastic reduction of Cl. perfringens count in the animal’s gut. The excretion rate of Cl. perfringens was reversibly proportional to the tannic acid content of the drinking water. No significance reduction of Cl. perfringens count was recorded in animal’s group consumed water with 0.5% tannic acid. Increasing tannic acid concentration reduced the excretion rate of Cl. perfringens. No Cl. perfringens could be detected in the faecal matter of some animals got 2% tannic acid within 1-3 weeks. Moreover, no Cl. perfringens could be detected in the faecal matter of most animals got 4% tannic acid after few days of treatment.