I. Experimental rabbit snuffles.

Abstract

As part of a general experimental study of the epidemiology of certain bacterial infections of domestic animals, experiments have recently been made with rabbits with Bact. lepisepticum.

Rabbits developing spontaneous snuffles at the Rockefeller Institute have been examined bacteriologically during life and at autopsy and have been found to carry in their nasal passages Bact. lepisepticum as the predominating organism. This microbe has been classed with the “pasteurella” or hemorrhagic septicemia group and is known as the bacillus of rabbit septicemia. The constant association of the organism with snuffles and its appearance simultaneously with spontaneous snuffles was considered as sufficient evidence to justify the employment of Bact. lepisepticum in an attempt to produce snuffles experimentally.

Efforts in this direction were followed by confusing and varied results until young rabbits bred and raised at the Rockefeller Institute from snuffles-free and Bact. Cepisepticulm-free parents were employed. These young rabbits which had not been exposed to snuffles and had always been free from Bact. lepisepticum were found regularly to respond to inoculation in a characteristic manner.

Cultures of Bact. lepisepticum, grown in broth, were dropped without trauma into the external nares by means of a 2 cc. Luer syringe. Two strains were employed for inoculation.

The less virulent strain was given to one series of five rabbits. Two of these rabbits developed snuffles; the five controls remained normal.

The more virulent strain was given to three series of 6, 12, and 22 rabbits respectively. The following tabulation shows the result:

Of the first series of six rabbits, three died, two developed chronic snuffles and survived, and one which had shown no evidence of infection remained well. Of the second series of 12, three died, eight developed chronic snuffles and survived, and one which had shown no evidence of infection remained well.