Hematological, Biochemical and Pathological Studies on Colibacillosis in Rabbits

The present investigation was carried out on naturally infected rabbits which obtained from 3 rabbit farms in Ismailia Governorate. Rectal swabs from 90 rabbits (0.5-0.75 kg body weight) showing diarrhoea, off food, ruffled fur, were bacteriologically examined. E. Coli sero type (O103) was isolated in a mixed culture from internal organs (liver, lung, heart, kidney, spleen, small and large intestine) of the infected rabbits. Whole blood and serum samples were taken for haematological, and biochemical analysis respectively. A total of 50 white New Zealand rabbits apparently healthy, 0.50 -0.75 kg body weight and two month of age were used. The Rabbits were divided into 3 groups, (group A, B and C). Group A (10) were kept as control and dosed orally 5 ml saline. Group B and C each (20) were dosed orally with dose 6X 108 and 3X 108 CFU/ml of E. Coli O103 respectively. Whole blood and serum samples were collected on the 1st, 3rd and 5th day of appeareance of the disease (after 2 days from infection in group B), while in group C the samples were collected on the 1st, 3rd , 5th , 7th , 14th and 21st day of appeareance of the disease (after 5 days from infection). Tissues speciemens from heart, liver, kidneys, and intestine were taken from sacrificed or freshly experimental died rabbits for histopathological examination. Clinical examination of these naturally and experimental infected rabbits revealed depression, dullness, off food rough fur and watery diarrhoea. Haematological examination of experimental infected rabbits with (3 X108 and 6X 108 ) CFU/ml of E. Coli revealed non significant change in all the erythrocytic parameters beside neutrophilic leucocytosis on 1st day followed by leucopenia with neutropenia on 3rd and 5th day. Biochemical analysis of the same group revealed increase in AST, ALT, total &direct bileubin, urea and creatinine while decrease in glucose and sodium level. The total protein, albumin ,globulin and potassium showed non significant change. It was concluded that colibacillosis occurs in acute form with high mortality rate and destructive lesions in the organs and bad effect on the health condition.Therefore it was recommended that, to employ the haematological and biochemical parameters for the early diagnosis and control of the disease. HEMATOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON COLIBACILLOSIS IN RABBITS HEMATOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON COLIBACILLOSIS IN RABBITS ABSTRACT The present investigation was carried out on naturally infected rabbits which obtained from 3 rabbit farms in Ismailia Governorate. Rectal swabs from 90 rabbits (0.5-0.75 kg body weight) showing diarrhoea, off food, ruffled fur, were bacteriologically examined. E. Coli sero type (O103) was isolated in a mixed culture from internal organs (liver, lung, heart, kidney, spleen, small and large intestine) of the infected rabbits. Whole blood and serum samples were taken for haematological, and biochemical analysis respectively. A total of 50 white New Zealand rabbits apparently healthy, 0.50 -0.75 kg body weight and two month of age were used. The Rabbits were divided into 3 groups, (group A, B and C). Group A (10) were kept as control and dosed orally 5 ml saline. Group B and C each (20) were dosed orally with dose 6X 108 and 3X 108 CFU/ml of E. Coli O103 respectively. Whole blood and serum samples were collected on the 1st, 3rd and 5th day of appeareance of the disease (after 2 days from infection in group B), while in group C the samples were collected on the 1st, 3rd , 5th , 7th , 14th and 21st day of appeareance of the disease (after 5 days from infection). Tissues speciemens from heart, liver, kidneys, and intestine were taken from sacrificed or freshly experimental died rabbits for histopathological examination. Clinical examination of these naturally and experimental infected rabbits revealed depression, dullness, off food rough fur and watery diarrhoea. Haematological examination of experimental infected rabbits with (3 X108 and 6X 108 ) CFU/ml of E. Coli revealed non significant change in all the erythrocytic parameters beside neutrophilic leucocytosis on 1st day followed by leucopenia with neutropenia on 3rd and 5th day. Biochemical analysis of the same group revealed increase in AST, ALT, total &direct bileubin, urea and creatinine while decrease in glucose and sodium level. The total protein, albumin ,globulin and potassium showed non significant change. It was concluded that colibacillosis occurs in acute form with high mortality rate and destructive lesions in the organs and bad effect on the health condition.Therefore it was recommended that, to employ the haematological and biochemical parameters for the early diagnosis and control of the disease.