Serological survey for antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Toxoplasma gondii in pet rabbits in eastern coastal areas of China

Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) is a microsporidian parasite commonly detected in rabbits and can infect humans and cause encephalitozoonosis. And Toxoplasma gondii is a prevalent parasite distributed worldwide and can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans. The aim of the current study was to investigate the seroprevalence of E. cuniculi and Toxoplasma gondii, and risk factors of infection in pet rabbits reared in eastern coastal areas of China (Tianjin, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai and Fujian). Total 222 blood samples of pet rabbits were collected from local veterinary hospitals. The seropositivity rates of E. cuniculi were 16.22% (36/222) according to an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Female pet rabbits was significantly higher than that in males (P=0.002), Zhejiang were markedly higher than those in Jiangsu and Shanghai (P=0.017, P=0.022), and cross-breed rabbits were dramatically higher than those in Chinchilla, New Zealand white, Rex (P=0.02, P=0.006, P=0.008). The seroprevalence of T. gondii was 13.06% (29/222) by the method of ELISA. The seroprevalence in Zhejiang was significantly higher than that in Shanghai (P=0.017). No difference in seroprevalence was detected with respect to the gender, age, species, health status, or season. These findings show that E. cuniculi and T. gondii are present and spread in pet rabbits. Therefore, pet rabbits should be considered as an important reservoir of encephalitozoonosis for humans and maybe important implication for public health in eastern coastal areas of China.