PREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMOSIS IN RABBITS IN SOUTH BOHEMIA

The incidence and prevalence of toxoplasmosis in rabbits in small floc ks in the district of Strakonice was investigated from 1981 to 1986. A total of 366 slaughter rabbits from 48 small flocks were examined usi ng Sabin-Feldman dye test (DT) and isolation attempts. Toxoplasma gond ii antibodies were detected in 194 (53.0%) rabbits and the causative a gent was demonstrated in the tissues of 54 (17.8%) out of 304 rabbits in which bio-assay was concluded. Of the 54 slaughter rabbits having T . gondii in the tissues 18 (33.3%) were devoid of antibodies when exam ined with DT at slaughter. Of the 48 husbandmen 36 supplied 5 or more rabbits. In all these 36 small flocks rabbits with T, gondii antibodie s were found and in 23 (63.9%) of them the causative agent was demonst rated. In 4 other small flocks 86 blood serum samples were examined wi th DT upon repeated blood collections; 62 (72.1%) of them showed T. go ndii antibodies. The incidence of antibodies varied from flock to floc k, ranging between 44% and 84%, and the highest titre was 16384. At bl ood collections repeated several times during one year some rabbits sh owed marked seroconversion and retained high antibody titres. One rabb it, however, in the same flock had no antibodies or showed them at the titre of 4 at the highest. Toxoplasmosis continues to be a problem in small flocks of rabbits, posing serious hygienic and epidemiological hazards. Slaughter rabbits from small flock are the most T. gondii - a ffected of all common slaughter animal species. Considering the increa sing production of rabbit meat due attention to toxoplasmosis in rabbi ts is required.