Sarcocystis Infection in Laboratory Rabbits

Comp Med. 2020 Jun 1;70(3):300-301. doi: 10.30802/AALAS-CM-19-000113. Epub 2020 May 8.

Abstract

Sarcocystosis, presumably caused by Sarcocystis cuniculi, was diagnosed in 2 purpose-bred, SPF Dutch belted laboratory rabbits from a class A breeder. The rabbits were purchased by a research facility and conventionally housed individually in stainless-steel suspended caging. At necropsy and tissue harvest, gross lesions were not observed in the muscles. Upon histologic examination, sarcocysts were found in the eyelid of one rabbit and the tongue of the other. To our knowledge, this report is the first description of infection by Sarcocystis spp. in laboratory rabbits.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Laboratory
  • Muscles / parasitology
  • Muscles / pathology
  • Rabbits / parasitology*
  • Sarcocystis / isolation & purification
  • Sarcocystosis / diagnosis
  • Sarcocystosis / veterinary*