Pasteurella multocida causes upper respiratory syndrome or snuffles in rabbits. The present study was done to characterize the P. multocida isolates of rabbit origin by capsular typing and to carry out the antimicrobial sensitivity testing using different antibiotics in order to know the prevalent phenotypes of P. multocida strains causing rabbit pasteurellosis in India. We observed that, capsular types A and B are associated with snuffles in rabbits. Antibiogram study revealed that great majority of the isolates was resistant to streptomycin, pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin, kanamycin and tetracycline, while amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, gentamicin, ceftriaxone, cefepime and ampicillin were found to be effective against the isolates. Emergence of multidrug resistant strains of P. multocida of rabbit origin is a matter of concern in India.

Download this article as