Effects of ochratoxin-a intoxication on susceptibility to pasteurella multocida 12: A infection in new zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The present study was aimed to investigate the clinical interaction of subacute ochratoxin-A (OT-A) intoxication with Pasteurella multocida infection in rabbits. Rabbits (New Zealand White) of 8 week age, weighing 350–400 g, were allotted randomly to six groups (I to VI) having 8 to 10 animals each. Group I and II rabbits were maintained on control diet whereas group III/IV and group V/VI rabbits received 1000 and 2000 ppb OT-A diets, respectively. Rabbits in Groups II to VI were infected with P. multocida 12: A strain on the 22^nd day of experimentation, by intranasal inoculation of 1 ml of 18 hr broth culture (@ 1 x 10⁶ cfu) when toxin was withdrawn from groups IV and VI. The study revealed that both OT-A intoxication and P. multocida infection caused clinical signs of dullness, weakness, dehydration, reduced body weight gain, decreased feed consumption, and increase in FCR. The symptoms were more severe in interaction groups wherein clinical pasteurellosis and mortality were observed. Rabbits of interaction groups revealed lesser rise in body temperature which dropped quickly, respiratory distress and prolonged prostration before death. The results suggest possible synergistic effects coupled with OT-A induced immunosuppression.