Capsular and somatic types of Pasteurella multocida from rabbits.

Capsular and somatic serotyping was performed on 79 cultures of Pasteurella multocida from rabbits. Of these isolates, 74 were capsular type A as determined by the staphylococcal hyaluronidase decapsulation test and five were type D by the acriflavine flocculation test. Somatic type 12 was the dominant serotype, and the remainder (type 1, 3, 4 and 11) were less frequent as determined by the gel diffusion precipitin test. This report is in general agreement with other recent reports with rabbit isolates and collectively they provide important serotype and epizootiological information that will be useful in the control and prevention of rabbit pasteurellosis.