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{{Taxobox
{{Taxobox
|name = ''Encephalitozoon cuniculi
|name = ''Encephalitozoon cuniculi
|species = ''E. cuniculi
|species = ''E. cuniculi
}}
}}
Causes '''''Encephalitozoonosis'''''
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
'''Urine microscopy''' can be performed 35 days after initial infection.
'''Urine microscopy''' can be performed 35 days after initial infection.
'''Serology''': antibodies develop soon after infection but clinical signs take much longer (several weeks)
'''Serology''': antibodies develop soon after infection but clinical signs take much longer (several weeks). Antibodies can be demonstrated 2 weeks before organisms are found intracellularly and 4 weeks before histopathological changes are demonstrated in the kidney.
Antibodies can be demonstrated 2 weeks before organisms are found intracellularly and 4 weeks before histopathological changes are demonstrated in the kidney.
'''PCR'''
'''[[PCR]]'''
'''CSF analysis''': will show lymphomonocytic pleocytosis, increased protein, but these are non-specific findings.
'''CSF analysis''': will show lymphomonocytic pleocytosis, increased protein, but these are non-specific findings.
On '''post-mortem examination''': principal target organs are the kidney, brain and spinal cord, but other targets may include the liver and heart.
On '''post-mortem examination''': principal target organs are the kidney, brain and spinal cord, but other targets may include the liver and heart. Lesions are often confined to the kidney and appear as focal, irregular, compressed areas, pale grey or white in colour.
Lesions are often confined to the kidney and appear as focal, irregular, compressed areas, pale grey or white in colour.
'''Histopathology''' will reveal granulomatous lesions in the target organs, with periportal lymphocytic infiltration. Organisms can usually be readily demonstrated in the organs. In the kidneys, there is granulomatous nephritis or interstitial infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells.
'''Histopathology''' will reveal granulomatous lesions in the target organs, with periportal lymphocytic infiltration. Organisms can usually be readily demonstrated in the organs. In the kidneys, there is granulomatous nephritis or interstitial infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells.
===Single positive result in healthy rabbit===
===Single positive result in healthy rabbit===
This may represent:
This may represent:
:Recent infection prior to development of clinical signs
Recent infection prior to development of clinical signs
:Chronically infected with no clinical signs
:Previously infected and recovered as antibody levels can persist for many years in symptomless animals
Chronically infected with no clinical signs
Previously infected and recovered as antibody levels can persist for many years in symptomless animals
===Single positive result in rabbit with clinical signs of encephalitozoonosis===
===Single positive result in rabbit with clinical signs of encephalitozoonosis===
This could be an active ''Encephalitozoon cuniculi'' infection (or another infection causing the same clinical signs)
:This could be an active ''Encephalitozoon cuniculi'' infection (or another infection causing the same clinical signs).
===Single negative result in healthy rabbit===
===Single negative result in healthy rabbit===
This may signify that the rabbit is free from infection
:This may signify that the rabbit is free from infection
:Or it may have been infected less than 2 weeks ago.
Or it may have been infected less than 2 weeks ago.
The rabbit should be retested in four weeks.
The rabbit should be retested in four weeks.
===Single negative result in rabbit with clinical signs of encephalitozoonosis===
===Single negative result in rabbit with clinical signs of encephalitozoonosis===
This rules out ''Encephalitozoon cuniculi'' infection as the cause of the clinical signs.
:This rules out ''Encephalitozoon cuniculi'' infection as the cause of the clinical signs.
Further tests may be advisable, including CSF analysis, MRI scans or a renal biopsy
Further tests may be advisable, including CSF analysis, MRI scans or a renal biopsy
{{Learning
{{Learning
|flashcards = [[Rabbit Medicine and Surgery Q&A 11]]
|flashcards = [[Rabbit Medicine and Surgery Q&A 11]]
|full text = [http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2010/20103220029.pdf ''' Encephalitozoon cuniculi-associated phacoclastic uveitis in the rabbit: a review.''' Donnelly, T. M.; Veterinary Learning Systems, Yardley, USA, Journal of Exotic Mammal Medicine and Surgery, 2003, 1, 1, pp 1-3, 18 ref]
}}
}}
Percy, D. (2007) '''Pathology of laboratory rodents and rabbits''' ''John Wiley and Sons''
Percy, D. (2007) '''Pathology of laboratory rodents and rabbits''' ''John Wiley and Sons''
{{review}}
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[[Category:Rabbit Parasites]]
[[Category:Expert Review - Exotics]]
[[Category:Zoonoses]]
[[Category:Rabbit Neurology]]
[[Category:Rabbit Neurology]]