MegaELISA® ENCEPHALITOZOON cuniculi is an enzyme immunoassay for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies against Encephalitozoon cuniculi in plasma or serum of the rabbit.

The infection with Encephalitozoon cuniculi occurs via spores in the urine of infected animals. The uptake of the extremely resistant spores mostly occurs perorally by contaminated food or inhalation in contaminated surroundings. That is why the spreading in house and laboratory animals is significantly faster than in wild animals. Carnivores also could be infected by infected prey.

Neurological symptoms, signs of kidney failure, and eye skin inflammation may occur due to lesions in the central nervous system, kidney, and eye. Diseased rabbits can experience one or more of these symptoms. The most common is the so-called vestibular syndrome (head tilt, disorders of movement coordination and eye tremors). Other neurological symptoms can include seizures, incomplete paralysis, and loss of balance. In rare cases, increased aggression and loss of hearing or vision may also occur. In some animals, renal insufficiency with rather unspecific symptoms (loss of appetite or weight, dehydration, disorders of the mineral balance and bone metabolism as well as apathy) can be indicative.

The in vivo diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis in rabbits is problematic because of the large number of animals with chronic, asymptomatic infection. In this case, antibodies can be detected in the blood for years. The serological detection of antibodies against E. cuniculi is usually the most sensitive method to determine an infection; a negative antibody titre during this period normally excludes an infection with E. cuniculi.

MegaELISA® ENCEPHALITOZOON cuniculi is based on highly specific antigens for the fast and reliable detection of IgG antibodies against Encephalitozoon cuniculi in plasma or serum of infected rabbits.