III. Colibacillosis

موضوع: III. Colibacillosis الجمعة أكتوبر 28, 2011 9:54 pm

III. Colibacillosis

A. Etiology: Escherichia coli is a gram-negative, lactose-fermenting,
indole positive rod.

III. Colibacillosis E-Coli01

Rabbits are known to be affected by non-toxin
producing, enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC).

EPEC adhere to
the intestinal mucosa through a 2-step process. First, a bacterial pilus
first allows attachment of the bacterial cell to the enterocyte.

Second,
a more intimate attachment through the eae pathogenicity island
disrupts the cytoskeleton and destroys microvilli. A secretory diarrhea
is induced by an unknown mechanism.

Receptors for EPEC attachment
to the epithelial cells are not present in newborn rabbits. They
first appear at 21 days and reach normal adult levels by 35 days.
The stress of weaning and loss of passively acquired maternal antibody
contribute to susceptibility at this time.

B. Clinical Signs: Rabbits have diarrhea, fever, anorexia,
and may consume more water than usual.

C. Pathology: Fecal-stained perineal fur and fluid-filled
intestinal contents with serosal vascular injection are seen.

III. Colibacillosis Poopy%20butt1

Edema and pyogranulomatous cellularity of the lamina propria without
mucosal ulceration are prominent histopathologic findings. Edema or hemorrhage
can be seen in the submucosa.

Small bacterial rods (arrow) adhered
to and effacing enterocyte margins are common in the ileum and cecum.

III. Colibacillosis EPEC1

D. Treatment:

Fluid therapy and supportive care are indicated.

The salicylates in Pepto bismol may be protective.

Chlorpromazine
(1 to 10 mg/kg IM) may help decrease fluid loss from the the secretory
diarrhea.