Enzephalitozoonosis is caused by Encephalitozoon cuniculi. About 80% of healthy rabbits carry the pathogen, without any clinical signs developing.  Clinical disease can present with the following clinical signs: torticollis, ataxia, uveitis, posterior paresis and urinary incontinence. Other clinical signs can occur depending on the particular organs involved (such as hepatic and renal disease).

Transmission is by infectious spores excreted primarily in the urine but also in the faeces and transmission can occur both orally and nasally. Pregnant does can pass the pathogen on to her offspring in utero. The disease is a zoonosis and is an emerging human pathogen.

Detection is now available by two methods both the traditional serology, giving an antibody titre, to enable monitoring of clinical cases or detection of exposure to the agent.  A PCR is also available to detect active shedding of the spores.

Cost for Antibody detection (Sample: 1ml serum)                                    £20.00