A Review of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in Domestic Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)-Biology, Clinical Signs, Diagnostic Techniques, Treatment, and Prevention

Abstract

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a eukaryote, unicellular, spore-forming, obligate intracellular microorganism of the phylum Microsporidia, with domestic rabbits as its main host. Another important species in which this pathogen has been identified are humans, the infection being therefore called a "zoonosis". The transmission takes place via the horizontal route or the vertical route, and cell-mediated immunity plays the biggest role in the infected hosts' protection. Encephalitozoonosis can manifest itself as an acute infection, with neurological signs, renal signs, and ocular lesions, or as a chronic or subclinical infection, which is usually the case for asymptomatic carriers. The diagnostic techniques usually carried out are histological examination, serological tests, and molecular genetic techniques. The treatment of encephalitozoonosis is usually symptomatic, with unrewarding results, and prevention methods include periodical serological screening, prophylactic administration of fenbendazole, and maintenance of a clean environment. The purpose of this article is to review the current data regarding the pathogenesis, host immunity, clinical signs, diagnostic methods, treatment, and prevention methods of encephalitozoonosis in the domestic rabbit, as well as to analyze the prevalence of this disease in different countries of the world.

Keywords: Encephalitozoon cuniculi; Oryctolagus cuniculus; diagnostic tests; encephalitozoonosis; rabbit.