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Myxomatosis: passive immunity in the offspring of immune rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) infested with fleas (Spilopsyllus cuniculi Dale) and exposed to myxoma virus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

W. R. Sobey  and
Dorothy Conolly
W. R. Sobey
Affiliation:
CSIRO, Division of Animal Genetics, P.O. Box 90, Epping, NSW
Dorothy Conolly
Affiliation:
CSIRO, Division of Animal Genetics, P.O. Box 90, Epping, NSW
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Summary

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Kittens with maternal antibodies to myxoma virus, the offspring of rabbits which had recovered from myxomatosis, were exposed to fleas contaminated with myxoma virus and/or contact with infected rabbits from birth. All kittens died or became infected before 8 weeks of age. When compared with adult animals similarly infected the kittens showed no advantage in terms of survival time or recovery rate attributable to maternal antibodies. Flea transmission of virus was found more effective than contact transmissions.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 74 , Issue 1 , February 1975 , pp. 43 - 55
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

References

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