Key Points
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an obligate, intracellular, microsporidian parasite commonly found in pet rabbits.
- Ingestion of E. cuniculi spores is the most important mode of transmission.
- Encephalitozoonosis usually causes chronic infection that can persist asymptomatically for years.
- Clinical disease may be more common in dwarf rabbit breeds.
- E. cuniculi has a predilection for the kidneys and brain.
- Neurologic signs caused by E. cuniculi often include torticollis, nystagmus, ataxia, or rolling. Other neurologic signs may include seizures, urinary incontinence, a stiff rear gait, and posterior paresis.
- Antemortem diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis can be challenging. Since latent infections are common, a positive antibody titer indicates infection but not active clinical disease.
- Clinical disease paired with high serum antibody levels, or better yet, paired, rising titers support a presumptive diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis.
- Treatment often involves therapy directed against E. cuniculi (a benzimidazole anthelmintic), an anti-inflammatory agent, and possibly an agent to control ancillary neurologic signs, such as meclizine.
Neurologic diseases are relatively common in companion rabbits, and recognition of these conditions by the exotic animal clinician is very important. Encephalitozoonosis is endemic in the pet rabbit population worldwide, and is an important cause of neurologic disease in this species . . .
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References
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