Vol. 45, No. 2, 2001 content

ANIMAL ENCEPHALITOZOONOSIS (A REVIEW)

Novotná, A., Bálent, P., Lešník, F., Čisláková, L.*

Department of Biology
University of Veterinary Medicine
Komenského 73
041 81 Košice
The Slovak Republic		 *Department of Epidemiology
Faculty of Medicine
P. J. Šafárik University
Moyzesova 11
041 76 Košice
The Slovak Republic

Summary

Recently the importance of encephalitozoonosis has rapidly increased due to the more frequent incidence of the infection in relatively healthy susceptible host populations. Encephalitozoonosis is a protozoan disease of zoonotic character and mostly asymptomatic in its course. The diagnosis of a clinically manifested form of the disease usually indicates an affected individual's immunosuppression. The causative agent Encephalitozoon cuniculi (phylum MICROSPORA) is an intracellular parasite well known as an important pathogen mainly in the breeding of laboratory animals, rabbits, and carnivores. Its presence has been confirmed in more than 30 mammalian species including human beings. Despite the insufficient knowledge about the ways the infection is disseminated and transmitted, there is a real danger from infected persons who have come into contact with infected animals.
Great importance is now attached to the disease from the economic point of view, as the mortality of the young (rabbits, puppies and cubs) and declining weight in slaughter rabbits is becoming more evidespread.

Key words: encephalitozoonosis; Encephalitozoon cuniculi; life cycle; pathogenesis; spreading and transmission; diagnosis

References

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Folia Veterinaria / 2001