Nasal infection of Alcaligenes bronchisepticus (Bordetella bronchiseptica) and lesions in newborn rabbits.

The mode of experimental infection with Alcaligenes bronchisepticus (Bordetella bronchiseptica) of pig and rabbit origin, and lesions in the respiratory organs were examined in three groups, A, B and C, of newborn rabbits. Groups A and C were free from the organism and agglutinating antibody and inoculated with the organisms of pig and rabbit origin, respectively. Group B had maternal antibody and was inoculated with the organism of pig origin. Establishment and persistence of infection with the organism were certified in the nasal cavities, trachea, or lungs of groups A and C 3 days after inoculation or later. Late establishment of infection occurred in trachea and lungs of group B. Agglutinating antibody was detected in groups A and B mostly 14 days after inoculation or later. Ventral turbinate atrophy occurred in groups A and B mostly 10 days after inoculation or later. Histologically, it was hypo-osteogenesis caused by degeneration of osteoblasts and proliferation of fibroblast-like cells in the osseous tissue. Catarrhal inflammation in the nasal and tracheal mucous membranes, and bronchopneumonia with peribronchiolitis developed commonly in all the groups. The fluorescent antibody technique revealed antigen of the organism of pig origin on the nasal mucosa, mostly of the dorsal and ventral meatus, and on the tracheal and bronchiolar mucosa in groups A and B.