Capsular and somatic serotypes of Pasteurella multocida isolates recovered from healthy and diseased rabbits in Texas.

A total of 111 Pasteurella multocida isolates recovered from healthy and diseased rabbits were typed for capsular and somatic antigens by the typing systems of Carter and Heddleston, respectively. The major serotypes of the 48 P. multocida isolates recovered from nasal cavities of healthy rabbits were serotypes 12:A (33%), nontypable:A (50%), and nontypable:D (10%). Similarly, the major serotypes of the 63 P. multocida isolates obtained from rabbits with rhinitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, tympanitis, or cutaneous abscesses were serotypes 12:A (32%), nontypable:A (30%), and 3:A (16%). Serotype 12:A was predominant, regardless of whether the isolates were recovered from healthy or diseased rabbits.