Rabbit Medicine and Surgery Q&A 11

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A gram-stained histological section from a rabbit’s cerebrum is shown. The animal presented with severe head tilt and was collapsed. It was euthanased.

Question	Answer		Article
What is your diagnosis?	Encephalitozoonosis. The photograph shows gram-positive protozoal parasites within macrophages. Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an obligate intracellular protozoal parasite, belonging to the order Microsporidia. The parasite infects the host cell and eventually the host cell ruptures, releasing parasitic spores, which go on to infect other cells. The life cycle lasts 3–5 weeks. Rupture of the host cell causes inflammation and results in clinical signs in the host animal.		Link to Article
How is this disease transmitted?	Transmission occurs orally following ingestion of contaminated tissues, food items or infected urine. In pet rabbits the most likely route of infection is via ingestion of spores from urine-contaminated food and water. Transplacental infection and infection via the respiratory route following inhalation have also been reported.		Link to Article